# NTSB ERA10LA293: Cessna 172H, N1435F, Dania Beach, FL, June 1, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 1, 2010, 19:32 local (23:32 UTC) - Place: Dania Beach, FL - Coordinates: 26.0725, -80.152496 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.0725&lon=-80.1525&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 11, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76194 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA293 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76194/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76194 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA293 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot turned the airplane onto the final approach leg of the traffic pattern and shortly thereafter the engine experienced a total loss of power. After unsuccessfully attempting to restart the engine, the pilot elected to perform a forced landing to a field near the airport. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted the ground, collapsing the main landing gear; the wingtips contacted the ground and the nose and fuselage incurred substantial damage. A postaccident examination revealed that there was half a gallon of fuel in the right tank, and no fuel was present in the left tank. There was no evidence of additional fuel at accident site. During an engine run test, the engine started on the initial attempt and operated up to full power. The examination disclosed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction. ## Factual narrative On June 1, 2010, at about 1932 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172H, N1435F, owned by F and J Aviation Corporation and operated by a private individual, incurred substantial damaged during a forced landing into a field in Dania Beach, Florida, following a loss of engine power while on final approach for runway 9 right at the Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL). The private pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, personal flight. The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector stated that the pilot and passenger said they had started their cross country flight from New Orleans at about 0920 that morning. They stopped in Panama City, Florida and at the Williston Municipal Airport (X60), Williston, Florida, where the airplane was fueled prior to the flight to FLL. They departed X60 at 1608. The route of flight from X60 was south along the west coast of Florida until they reached the Naples, Florida area before turning east toward FLL. The pilot stated that the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power when the airplane was about ¾ of a mile from the approach end of runway 9 right at FLL. After an unsuccessful attempt to restart the engine, the pilot made a 360 degree turn and elected to land in a field near the airport. A witness located within the FLL property stated that “the aircraft seemed to have lost speed but the approach altitude seemed appropriate” for landing before the crash. He observed the airplane in a nose up attitude in a right turn before it disappeared behind a line of trees. The airplane came to rest upright with substantial damage to its fuselage, windshield, and nose section. The wingtips were bent upward and the nose gear collapsed and separated from the airplane. The main landing gear was bent aft and the lower section of the engine cowling was crushed. The engine’s inlet airbox, carburetor, exhaust pipe and muffler were damaged on impact. A wreckage examination was conducted by the FAA. Both wing tanks were intact and fuel caps secured. The fuel selector lever was found in the both tank position. One half gallon of aviation fuel was drained from the right wing tank and no fuel was found in the left wing tank. There was no evidence of fuel leakage from the airplane in flight or at the accident site after the accident. The Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) for the accident model Cessna 172 states that the airplane holds 39 gallons of fuel, with 36 gallons usable. A post accident engine run was conducted with National Transportation Safety Board and FAA oversight. The engine started on the initial attempt and operated up to full power with no evidence of failure or malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1435F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1435F-2011-12-12), registration cancelled 2011-12-12, S/N 17254930, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H - Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17254930 - Airframe hours: 4463 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 2010 - Departed: X60, Williston, FL - Destination: FLL, Dania Beach, FL - Airport: FLL, Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 14, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 1,295 total, 1,292 in this make and model, 1,170 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 130° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: FLL, 1 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 20100601034419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100601034419A), Jun 1, 2010: Cessna 172H, Dania Beach, FL, Substantial damage. On June 01, 2010 I was on stand by duties for accident investigation for the office FSDO-19. At approximately 19:54 of 06-01-10 I have received a dispatch call… ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 26, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76194. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 569 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331037&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Local Agencies: Excerpts from Broward County Sheriff's Department (item 2, .PDF, 466 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330987&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Local%20Agencies%3A%20Excerpts%20from%20Broward%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Department-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 435 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330983&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Federal Agencies: Federal Aviation Administration Inspector Statement (item 4, .PDF, 151 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330990&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies%3A%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports: Excerpts From Naples Airport Tower Communication Records (item 5, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331115&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%3A%20Excerpts%20From%20Naples%20Airport%20Tower%20Communication%20Records-Master.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports: Engine Run-up Notes (item 6, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330988&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%3A%20Engine%20Run-up%20Notes-Master.PDF - Miscellaneous: Fuel Purchase Receipts (item 7, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330986&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20Fuel%20Purchase%20Receipts-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 8, .PDF, 248 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330996&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1) Side View of the Wreckage, Provided by the Broward County Sheriff's Department (item 9, .PDF, 579 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332606&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201)%20Side%20View%20of%20the%20Wreckage,%20Provided%20by%20the%20Broward%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Department-Master.PDF - Photo 2) Rear View of the Wreckage, Provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (item 10, .PDF, 244 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332607&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202)%20Rear%20View%20of%20the%20Wreckage,%20Provided%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration-Master.PDF 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.