# NTSB CHI91LA003: Cessna 172D, N2592Y, Midland, MI, October 4, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1990, 16:37 local (20:37 UTC)
- Place: Midland, MI
- Coordinates: 43.620639, -84.219192 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6206&lon=-84.2192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14935
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14935/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA003

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DID NOT REFUEL RESULTING IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE INADVERTENT STALL ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING WAS ALSO A CAUSE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD CONDUCTED A ROUND-ROBIN TRIP FROM HIS HOME AIRPORT WITHOUT FUELING THE AIRCRAFT. ON THE RETURN LEG THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AND A FORCED LANDING WAS INITIATED. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE 'LOST TOO MUCH AIRSPEED' AND THE AIRPLANE STALLED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED ONLY UNUSABLE FUEL IN THE FUEL TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2592Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2592Y-1993-08-02), registration cancelled 1993-08-02, S/N 17249892 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172D
- Registry model: [Cessna 172D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172d) (registry code 2072410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17249892
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Smith, Hugh A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: GDW, GLADWIN, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 232 in this make and model, 188 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 23 knots, gusting 29
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MBS, 20 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 19901004044059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901004044059A), Oct 4, 1990: Cessna 172D, Midland, MI, Substantial damage. Approaching airport ran out of fuel,stalled during forced landing in a open field. Had departed minimum fuel.

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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