# NTSB DEN99LA019: Cessna 172M, N8883V, Belen, NM, November 8, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 8, 1998, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Belen, NM - Coordinates: 34.650169, -106.76918 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6502&lon=-106.7692&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45256 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA019 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45256/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA019 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, resulting in fuel supply exhaustion. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - fuel system,tank - exhaustion (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis While en route to Belen, New Mexico, the pilot landed at Fort Sumner where he planned to purchase fuel. He was unable to find a line person to sell him fuel, so flew to Belen without refueling. While on final approach to landing, the engine lost power and the aircraft landed short of the runway. The pilot stated in his accident report: '[I] departed Fort Sumner thinking I had enough fuel to reach Belen. [I] didn't make it.' This was subsequently supported by local authorities, who confirmed they found no evidence of fuel in the fuel tanks. ## Factual narrative On November 8, 1998, approximately 1330 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172M, N8883V, sustained substantial damage after impacting terrain following a loss of engine power short of the runway at Alexander Municipal Airport, Belen, New Mexico. The private pilot received minor injuries. No flight plan was filed for the personal cross-country flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Bonham, Texas, approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes prior to the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. According to the pilot, while en route to Belen, he landed at Fort Sumner, New Mexico, where he planned to purchase fuel. The pilot stated that he was unable to find a line person to sell him fuel, so he continued to Belen without refueling. While on final approach to Alexandrer Municipal Airport, the engine lost power and the aircraft landed short of the runway. Upon touchdown, the aircraft nosed over. The aircraft sustained damage to the nose gear, wings, vertical fin, and rudder. The pilot stated in his accident report: "[I] departed Fort Sumner thinking I had enough fuel to reach Belen. [I] didn't make it." This was subsequently supported by local authorities, who confirmed they found no evidence of fuel in the fuel tanks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8883V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8883V), registered now, S/N 17264242, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17264242 - Airframe hours: 4994 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Leland C. Spencer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1998, 84 hours before - Departed: FSU, FORT SUMNER, NM - Destination: E80 - Airport: E80, Alexander Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; commercial, military, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,162 total, 270 in this make and model, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ABQ, 26 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 19981108040079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981108040079A), Nov 8, 1998: Cessna 172M, Belen, NM, Substantial damage. (.19)On November 8, 1998, at 1330 mountain standard time, a Cessna CE-172M, N8883V, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing short of the runway at… 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.