# NTSB DFW05CA090: Cessna 172, N12CT, Nachogdoches, TX, March 19, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 19, 2005, 17:05 local (23:05 UTC) - Place: Nachogdoches, TX - Coordinates: 31.577777, -94.709442 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5778&lon=-94.7094&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61172 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61172/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA090 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper in-flight planning which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The 550-hour pilot reported that when he was at a cruise altitude of 2,500 feet mean seal level (msl), when the "engine quit." During the forced landing, the airplane struck the tops of trees, nosed over, and impacted terrain. The pilot further stated that he "thought he ran out of fuel." Examination of the airplane revealed that no fuel was observed in the left fuel tank. The owner reported that during the recovery of the airplane, approximately three gallons of automotive fuel was drained from the right fuel tank. ## Factual narrative On March 19, 2005, approximately 1705 central standard time, a Cessna 172M single-engine airplane, N12CT, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during cruise flight near Nacogdoches, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Angelina County Airport (LFK), near Lufkin, Texas, at an unknown time and was destined for the Al Mangham Jr. Airport (OCH), near Nacogdoches, Texas. During a telephone interview with an NTSB representative, the 550-hour pilot reported that while at a cruise altitude of 2,500 feet mean seal level (msl), when the "engine quit." The pilot initiated a forced landing to a nearby dirt road, but noticed a set of power lines adjacent to the road. The pilot added that instead of going near the power lines, he elected to land in an area of small trees. At an altitude of approximately 30 feet above ground level, the airplane struck the tops of the trees, nosed over, and impacted the ground. The pilot further stated that he "thought he ran out of fuel." Examination of the airplane by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the site of the accident, revealed that the airplane came to rest within trees in a near vertical nose-down attitude. The leading edges of both wings were crushed aft. The engine was crushed aft into engine firewall. No fuel was observed in the left fuel tank. The owner reported that during the recovery of the airplane, approximately three gallons of automotive fuel was drained from the right fuel tank. A completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) was not received from the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N12CT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12CT-2012-02-24), registration cancelled 2012-02-24, S/N 46094, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 46094 - Engines: Continental O-300 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ferrel D. Davis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Lufkin, TX - Destination: OCH, Nachogdoches, TX - Airport: OCH, A L Mangham Jr. Regional ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 550 total, 300 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: OCH, 3 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 20050319003519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050319003519A), Mar 19, 2005: Cessna 172, Nacogdoches, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Fuel exhaustion resulting in emergency landing in wooded area. 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.