# NTSB CHI93LA037: Cessna 172, N7463A, Elk River, MN, November 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1992, 12:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Elk River, MN
- Coordinates: 45.330875, -93.560287 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3309&lon=-93.5603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15627
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15627/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA037

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE BEFORE THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS RETURNING TO HIS HOME BASE AFTER HAVING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION PERFORMED ON HIS AIRPLANE WHEN HE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES AND CRASHED NEXT TO A COUNTY HIGHWAY DURING THE ATTEMPTED FORCED LANDING. INVESTIGATORS FOUND APPROXIMATELY ONE TEASPOON OF FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK, NO FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK, APPROXIMATELY TWO OUNCES OF FUEL IN THE FIREWALL STRAINER, AND APPROXIMATELY ONE OUNCE IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL. BEFORE DEPARTING THE AIRPORT THE PILOT REMARKED THAT HE WAS LOW ON FUEL AND NEEDED TO GET SOME. A WORKER WENT TO GET THE FUEL TRUCK BUT THE PILOT TAXIED OUT FOR TAKEOFF AND DEPARTED THE AIRPORT AS HE RETURNED WITH THE TRUCK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7463A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7463A), registered now, S/N 29563 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 29563
- Airframe hours: 2846
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wallace D. Pederson
- Registered owner: Wallace D. Pederson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 17, 1992, 1 hours before
- Departed: 8Y6, CLEAR LAKE, MN
- Destination: ANE, ANOKA, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 262 total, 234 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STC, 25 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 19921117047069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921117047069A), Nov 17, 1992: Cessna 172, Elk River, MN, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Engine quit on climb to cruise. No fuel on board. Had requested fuel due to low fuel level then left without 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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