# NTSB ERA11CA069: Cessna 172G, N3700L, Winter Haven, FL, November 21, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 21, 2010, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Winter Haven, FL - Coordinates: 28.062778, -81.751945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0628&lon=-81.7519&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77861 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77861/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77861 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA069 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight/inflight fuel planning resulting in fuel exhaustion and total loss of engine power. ## 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 172G, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2072420), [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 level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072420), [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. - [Enroute-descent: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072420), [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 172G, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he reviewed the weather prior to departing on the 416-nautical mile cross-country flight. The pilot fueled the airplane with 30.1 gallons of fuel the morning of the flight. About 3 miles from the destination airport, as the airplane was descending through 1,500 feet mean sea level, the engine sputtered and subsequently experienced a loss of power. During the forced landing, the airplane struck a tree, continued down an incline, and came to rest in a small pond, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the firewall. A postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane's left fuel tank contained 2.5 gallons of fuel, the right fuel tank contained 0.5 gallons of fuel; the fuel selector was in the "BOTH" position. A review of the airplane's applicable Owner's Manual revealed that the unusable fuel in level flight was 0.5 gallons. At 67 percent power, and operating with a lean mixture, the airplane's fuel consumption rate was 7.6 gallons per hour. When asked how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot stated that he should have stopped for fuel en route. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he reviewed the weather prior to departing on the 416-nautical mile cross-country flight. The pilot fueled the airplane with 30.1 gallons of fuel the morning of the flight. About 3 miles from the destination airport, descending through 1,500 feet msl, the engine sputtered and then lost power. During a forced landing on a grassy area, the airplane struck a tree, continued down an incline, and came to rest in a small pond, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the firewall. Examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane's left fuel tank contained 2.5 gallons of fuel, the right fuel tank contained 0.5 gallons of fuel, and the fuel selector was in the "BOTH" position. Review of the Cessna Model 172 Owner's Manual revealed that, the maximum usable fuel capacity in all flight conditions was 36 gallons; however, unusable fuel in level flight was 0.5 gallons. At 67 percent power, and operating with a lean mixture, the airplane's fuel consumption rate was 7.6 gallons per hour but, according to the manual, Allowances for fuel reserve, headwinds, take-offs, and climb, and variations in mixture leaning technique should be made and are in addition to those shown on the charts. Other indeterminate variables such as carburetor metering-characteristics, engine and propeller conditions, and turbulence or atmosphere may account for variations of 10 percent or more in maximum range. When asked how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot stated that he should have stopped for fuel en route. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3700L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3700L-2012-09-12), registration cancelled 2012-09-12, S/N 17253869, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G - Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17253869 - Airframe hours: 2345 - Engines: CONT MOTOR 0-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2010 - Departed: GYH, Greenville, SC - Destination: GIF, Winter Haven, FL - Airport: GIF, Winter Haven's Gilbert Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 391 total, 391 in this make and model, 391 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 15 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: GIF ## 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 20101121051839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101121051839A), Nov 21, 2010: Cessna 172G, Auburndale, FL, Substantial damage. Aircraft was on decent to kgif from kgsp when the engine quit. Altitude approximately 1500 feet. Pilot reported 1/4 tank indicated on both tanks, attempted re… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 29, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77861. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 417 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341284&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341285&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Pilot Interview Summary (item 3, .PDF, 33 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340127&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Federal Aviation Administration Inspector Statement (item 4, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341297&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Weather Reports: KGIF METARs (item 5, .PDF, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341286&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%3A%20KGIF%20METARs-Master.PDF - Excerpts from Owner's Manual (Fuel Planning and Performance Information) (item 6, .PDF, 251 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341296&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20from%20Owner%27s%20Manual%20(Fuel%20Planning%20and%20Performance%20Information)-Master.PDF - Photograph of Main Wreckage (FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 185 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341291&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20of%20Main%20Wreckage%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph of Right Wing Damage (FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 182 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341293&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20of%20Right%20Wing%20Damage%20(FAA)-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.