# NTSB ERA12CA568: Cessna 172M, N172HA, Quitman, MS, September 19, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 19, 2012, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Quitman, MS - Coordinates: 32.04, -88.728057 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0400&lon=-88.7281&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 27, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85086 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA568 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85086/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85086 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA568 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not inspected (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072418), [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. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072418), [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 172M, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072418), [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 172M, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis After flying for about 3 hours on a routine pipeline patrol flight at 1,500 feet above ground level, the engine “sputtered,” then ceased producing power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful and prepared for an emergency landing in a farm field below. The pilot was unable to recall the events that subsequently transpired, but a postaccident examination of the airplane showed that the left main landing gear collapsed during the landing, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and engine firewall. Additionally, the fuel system remained intact and both fuel tanks were absent of fuel. About 1/2 pint of fuel was recovered from the fuel strainer, carburetor supply fuel line, and the carburetor float bowl. Following the accident, the pilot stated that he did not check the fuel level prior to departing on the accident flight and that the accident could have been prevented by performing a proper preflight inspection of the airplane using the published procedure in the pilot’s operating handbook. ## Factual narrative The pilot was performing a routine pipeline patrol flight at 1,500 feet agl, and after flying for about 3 hours, the engine “sputtered,” then ceased producing power. The pilot then attempted to restart the engine, but was unsuccessful, and prepared for an emergency landing in a farm field below. The pilot was unable to recall the events that subsequently transpired, but a post-accident examination of the airplane showed that the left main landing gear collapsed during the landing, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and engine firewall. Additionally, the fuel system remained intact and both fuel tanks were absent of fuel. About 1/2-pint of fuel was recovered from the fuel strainer, carburetor supply fuel line, and the carburetor float bowl. Following the accident, the pilot stated that he did not check the fuel level prior to departing on the accident flight, and that the accident could have been prevented by performing a proper preflight inspection of the airplane using the publish procedure in the pilot’s operating handbook and not “repetitive memory.” ## Aircraft - Registration: [N172HA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N172HA-2012-12-03), registration cancelled 2012-12-03, S/N 17260872 (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: 17260872 - Airframe hours: 4275 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 2012 - Departed: 12J, Brewton, AL - Destination: 12J, Brewton, AL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 23, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 880 total, 808 in this make and model, 550 as pilot in command, 116 in the last 90 days, 74 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: MEI, 17 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 20120919022149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120919022149A), Sep 19, 2012: Cessna 172M, Corinth, MS, Substantial damage. Inadequate flight planning, lack of VFR fuel reserves. That lead to fuel exuastion. Conducting commercial operations (pipeline patrol) with a private pilot… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 28, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85086. 6.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 423 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378021&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 624 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378814&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Accident Airplane from Left (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378816&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Accident%20Airplane%20from%20Left%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Accident Airplane from Aft Left (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378817&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Accident%20Airplane%20from%20Aft%20Left%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.