# NTSB CHI94LA251: Cessna 172K, N84514, Rockford, MI, July 30, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1994, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Rockford, MI
- Coordinates: 43.119194, -85.549621 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1192&lon=-85.5496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9614
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA251
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9614/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA251

## Probable cause

the student pilot's failure to refuel the airplane prior to fuel exhaustion.

## 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
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON A SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE MADE A HARD, OFF-AIRPORT LANDING IN A HAY FIELD. POSTACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THERE WAS NO USABLE FUEL IN EITHER FUEL TANK.  THE PILOT WROTE IN HIS REPORT TO THE NTSB THAT THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF HE HAD REFUELED AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT.

## Factual narrative

On July 30, 1994, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172K airplane, N84514, sustained substantial damage during a hard, off-airport forced landing near Rockford, Michigan. The solo student pilot reported minor injury. The cross country instructional flight operated in visual meteorological conditions under 14 CFR Part 91.

The student pilot reported a loss of engine power while in cruise flight, and attempted to land in a field.  Postaccident inspection revealed a lack of usable fuel in the fuel tanks.

In his written report to the NTSB, under Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented), the pilot wrote:  "I should have monitored my fuel more closely and fueled at departure airport."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84514](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84514-1995-12-15), registration cancelled 1995-12-15, S/N 17258506 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17258506
- Airframe hours: 6291
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Zeeland Aero
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 15, 1994, 40 hours before
- Departed: MBS, SAGINAW, MI
- Destination: Z98, ZEELAND, MI
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 45 total, 45 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19940730019899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940730019899A), Jul 30, 1994: Cessna 172K, Rockford, MI, Substantial damage. Student on solo cross country ran out of fuel. Landed in a field. (-23) student pilot - acft ran out of fuel and made an off airport landing. [privacy data…

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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