# NTSB DEN86LA138: Cessna 172, N3559E, Pierre, SD, May 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1986, 16:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Pierre, SD
- Coordinates: 44.369152, -100.320671 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3692&lon=-100.3207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16965
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16965/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA138

## 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)
  - aircraft service - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

PLT SAID THAT WHILE IN CRUISE FLT ENG LOSS POWER. PLT MADE FORCED LANDING ON ROAD AND LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. ACFT STRUCK DITCH, FENCE, THEN OVERTURNED. ACFT LAST REFUELED TWO DAYS BEFORE AND WAS FLOWN FOR ONE HOUR. PLT DID NOT SERVICE ACFT PRIOR TO DEPARTING. PLT FILED VFR FLT PLAN, REPORTING 4 HRS ETE AND 6 HRS FUEL ON BOARD. ENG LOST POWER 3 HRS, 40 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3559E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-71587
- Airframe hours: 3648
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wings Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: STP, ST. PAUL, MN
- Destination: RAP, RAPID CITY, SD
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 121 total, 20 in this make and model, 72 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19860517018529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860517018529A), May 17, 1986: Cessna 172N, Pierre, SD, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel enroute. Crashed into a fence and a ditch trying to land on a road.

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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