# NTSB CHI87LA103: Cessna 172M, N19984, Shelbyville, IN, March 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1987, 20:30 local (Mar 26, 1987, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Shelbyville, IN
- Coordinates: 39.519393, -85.769012 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5194&lon=-85.7690&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13748
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13748/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA103

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT'S ORIGINAL DESTN WAS LEXINGTON, KY, HOWEVER BETWEEN BLUEFIELD, KY AND LEXINGTON, HE AMENDED HIS DESTN TO INDIANAPOLIS, IN. THE PLT STATED THAT FUEL CONSUMPTION WAS CALCULATED AS 7.1 GPH, BUT HE DID NOT TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE CESSNA 172 TIME/FUEL TO CLIMB CHART OR THE 10% VARIANCE FOR ACFT/ENGINE CONDITION, ACCESSORY CONDITION, OR TURBULENCE. FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS AT 7.8 GPH (7.1 GPH CRUISE CONSUMPTION RATE + 10% VARIANCE) INDICATE THAT FOLLOWING TAKEOFF AND CLIMB, THE REMAINING FLT ENDURANCE WAS ABOUT 5.1 HOURS. THE PLT DEPARTED RALEIGH-DURHAM, NC AT 1530 EST AND HE REPORTED FUEL EXHAUSTION TO THE INDIANAPOLIS INTERNATIONAL APPROACH CONTROL AT 2030 EST. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH AN OVERPASS SUPPORT STRUCTURE WHILE LANDING IN THE EASTBOUND LANES OF I-74, ABOUT FOUR MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF SHELBYVILLE, IN. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, A TOTAL OF APPRX ONE CUP OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE ACFT WING SUMPS AND GASCOLATOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N19984](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19984-1988-03-16), registration cancelled 1988-03-16, S/N 17260911 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17260911
- Airframe hours: 1440
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Advantage Engineering, Inc.
- Registered owner: Advantage Engineering Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 12, 1986
- Departed: RDU, RALEIGH-DURHAM, NC
- Destination: 5I1, LEXINGTON, KY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 35M, Shelbyville Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 205 total, 204 in this make and model, 126 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 28 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 19870325009319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870325009319A), Mar 25, 1987: Cessna 172M, Shelbyville, IN, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion and the aircraft struck an overpass. Pilot overflew a planned refueling stop

## Other investigations on N19984 (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 CHI73DEA34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI73DEA34), May 20, 1973: Cessna 172 (N19984), Mt.Vernon, IN, substantial damage

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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