# NTSB CHI95LA297: Cessna 172N, N738CL, Clarkston, MI, August 26, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 26, 1995, 11:38 local (15:38 UTC) - Place: Clarkston, MI - Location: 42.7359° N, 83.4188° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Clarkston, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7359&lon=-83.4188&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 4 minor - Status: Completed, report May 30, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10012 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA297 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10012/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA297 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to refuel. ## 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 (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - object - tree(s) - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The pilot reported that prior to departure he obtained a full weather briefing and performed a full preflight. He was informed that the airplane had flown for approximately 1/2 hour the night before. The pilot stated the fuel tanks appeared virtually full and the fuel gauges read FULL. Since the tanks appeared 'just about full,' he decided not to have the tanks topped off prior to departure. Approximately 2 hours into the flight, the visibility deteriorated. The pilot decided to turn around and go back to his departure airport. Approximately 17 miles from his destination, the airplane's engine lost all power. The pilot made a forced landing on a field. The airplane impacted trees and became inverted. Postaccident examination found no fuel in the fuel tanks, fuel lines, or carburetor. No fuel stains were observed. ## Factual narrative On August 26, 1995, at 1138 eastern daylight time (edt), a Cessna 172N, N738CL, registered to Linda Leasing Co., of Troy, Michigan, and operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power while in cruise flight. The pilot and three passengers reported minor injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Troy, Michigan, at 0800 edt, with an intended destination of Mackinac Island, Michigan. In a detailed written statement, the pilot reported that prior to departing Oakland/Troy Airport he obtained a full weather briefing and performed a full preflight. During the preflight, the pilot was informed that the airplane had flown for approximately one-half hour the night before. He stated the fuel tanks, upon his visual inspection, appeared virtually full and the fuel gauges read FULL. The pilot stated that since the tanks appeared "just about full," he decided not to have the tanks topped off prior to departure. The pilot stated he departed en route to Mackinac Island. The estimated time en route was five hours with one planned fuel stop. The pilot reported that approximately 40 miles south of Mackinac Island, the visibility deteriorated. He decided the weather was not safe enough to continue, so he turned the airplane to divert back to Troy. Approximately 17 miles northwest of his destination, the airplane's engine experienced a complete loss of power. The pilot made a forced landing on a field. The airplane impacted trees which lined the field's perimeter and became inverted. Postaccident examination found no fuel in the fuel tanks, fuel lines, or carburetor. No fuel stains were observed. The pilot stated to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector that he felt the airplane ran out of fuel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N738CL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738CL-2011-02-17), registration cancelled 2011-02-17, S/N 17269871, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17269871 - Airframe hours: 2235 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: L & W Flying Services Inc. - Registered owner: Linda Leasing Co. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 25, 1995, 9 hours before - Departed: 7D2, TROY, MI - Destination: Y84, MACKINAC ISLAND, MI ## 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: 115 total, 56 in this make and model, 83 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FNT, 27 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 19950826026059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950826026059A), Aug 26, 1995: Cessna 172N, Clarkston, MI, Substantial damage. Two hours en route weather deteriorated. Returned. Lost power. Hit trees. Flipped. No fuel on board. Guessed fuel. (-23) engine quit at 3500 feet. Pilot made… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.