# NTSB CHI87LA035: Cessna 172G, N3871L, Evansville, IN, November 22, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 21, 1986, 20:13 local (Nov 22, 1986, 01:13 UTC)
- Place: Evansville, IN
- Coordinates: 37.979942, -87.539451 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9799&lon=-87.5395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13701
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13701/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA035

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - normal
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, JUST AFTER STARTING A DESCENT FROM 300O FEET, WHILE INBOUND TO EVANSVILLE DRESS REGIONAL AIRPORT(EVV), THE ENGINE 'SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING QUIT.' THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER DECIDING HE COULD NOT MAKE EVV, HE TURNED LEFT AND SET UP A FINAL APCH FOR A WAREHOUSE PARKING AREA. THE PLT STATED THAT APRX THREE FEET AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE ACFT STRUCK A SECURITY FENCE AND THE ACFT FLIPPED OVER. MINIMAL FUEL LEAKAGE OCCURRED AFTER THE CRASH AND THE FUEL TANKS WERE DRAINED. THE LEFT TANK CONTAINED APRX 1 1/2 GALLONS AND THE RIGHT TANK HELD ABOUT 3/4 OF A GALLON. APRX ONE OUNCE OF FUEL WAS EVIDENCED IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL AND ABOUT ONE OUNCE WAS DETECTED IN THE FUEL STRAINER. THE TWO FUEL TANKS IN THIS ACFT HOLD A TOTAL OF 42 GALLONS, THREE OF WHICH ARE UNUSABLE. WHEN POWER WAS APPLIED, THE RIGHT FUEL INDICATOR READ 3/4 OF A TANK AND THE LEFT FUEL INDICATOR DISPLAYED AN EMPTY READING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3871L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3871L-2022-07-30), registration cancelled 2022-07-30, S/N 17254040, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17254040
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Demia B. Meadows
- Registered owner: Demia B. Meadows
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 31, 1986
- Departed: WV12, S. CHARLESTON, WV
- Destination: EVV, EVANSVILLE, IN
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: EVV, Evansville Dress Regional

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 136 total, 42 in this make and model, 85 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 80° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EVV, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19861121060019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861121060019A), Nov 21, 1986: Cessna 172G, Evansville, IN, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion and the aircraft struck a fence during landing. No mechanical defects noted.

## Other investigations on N3871L (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR21LA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA224), Jun 2, 2021: Cessna 172G (N3871L), Washington, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power during an enroute climb due to a stuck exhaust valve and multiple failed piston compression rings.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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