# NTSB DEN90LA093: Cessna 172, N3233L, Columbia Falls, MT, April 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1990, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Columbia Falls, MT
- Coordinates: 48.409252, -114.150276 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4093&lon=-114.1503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17918
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17918/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA093

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PREFLIGHT AND SECURE THE FUEL CAP WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF FUEL AND THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUTION. FACTOR WAS SOFT TERRAIN DURING FORCED LANDING.

## 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)
  - fuel system,cap - improper (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS COMPLETING A CROSS COUNTRY SOLO FLIGHT. HE REPORTED THAT WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE QUIT. HE SELECTED A FIELD AND MADE A FORCED LANDING. DURING LANDING ROLL, THE NOSE GEAR SANK INTO THE SOFT TERRAIN AND THE PLANE NOSED OVER, COMING TO REST INVERTED. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A FUEL SPILL AND NO FUEL IN THE TANKS. THE OWNER REPORTED THAT HE DISCOVERED ONE FUEL CAP INSTALLED IMPROPERLY, WHICH HE BELIEVES SIPHONED OUT FUEL DURING THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3233L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17256133
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Eagle Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: NONE, RUDYARD, MT
- Destination: S27, KALISPELL, MT
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 53 total, 53 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900418010269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900418010269A), Apr 18, 1990: Cessna 172H, Columbia Falls, MT, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Overshot sod field into plowed field on forced landing and nosed over.

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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