# NTSB ERA14CA171: Cessna 172, N4214F, Carlisle, PA, March 24, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 24, 2014, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Carlisle, PA - Coordinates: 40.221389, -77.19889 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2214&lon=-77.1989&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO, Cessna Aircraft Company - NTSB case key (mKey): 88967 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA171 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88967/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88967 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA171 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to depart with a known mechanical malfunction and his improper fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and subsequent impact with terrain during an off-airport landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Electrical power system: battery/charger](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022432): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022432/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022432/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2072402), [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 172, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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 172, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot he had purchased the airplane and planned to fly it across the country "via the southern route." The aircraft seller informed the pilot that the battery held a limited charge, but asserted that the airplane could be flown if the pilot charged the battery and disengaged the master after takeoff. Prior to departure, a mechanic charged the battery for about an hour. The pilot had planned to depart, fly for about 4 hours and then begin to look for an airport to land and obtain fuel. Once he reached his cruising altitude the pilot disengaged the "master." After about 4 hours of flight and in nighttime conditions the pilot found an airport beacon, reengaged the "master" and attempted to activate the runway lights. After several unsuccessful attempts and with the cockpit lights beginning to dim the pilot elected to conserve battery power and find a new airport. About thirty minutes later the pilot found another airport beacon. The airplane "ran out of gas" over a residential area three miles from the pilot's final destination. The pilot made a turn to line the airplane up with a street; however, during the descent to land the airplane collided with tree tops and subsequently impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the engine firewall and both wings. The pilot reported the "electrical system failed in the last few minutes of flight" as the only mechanical failure. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot he had purchased the airplane and planned to fly it across the country "via the southern route." The aircraft seller informed the pilot that the battery held a limited charge, but asserted that the airplane could be flown if the pilot charged the battery and disengaged the master after takeoff. Prior to departure, a mechanic charged the battery for about an hour. The pilot had planned to depart, fly for about 4 hours and then begin to look for an airport to land and obtain fuel. Once he reached his cruising altitude the pilot disengaged the "master." After about 4 hours of flight and in nighttime conditions the pilot found an airport beacon, reengaged the "master" and attempted to activate the runway lights. After several unsuccessful attempts and with the cockpit lights beginning to dim the pilot elected to conserve battery power and find a new airport. About thirty minutes later the pilot found another airport beacon. The airplane "ran out of gas" over a residential area three miles from the pilot's final destination. The pilot made a turn to line the airplane up with a street; however, during the descent to land the airplane collided with tree tops and subsequently impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the engine firewall and both wings. The pilot reported the "electrical system failed in the last few minutes of flight" as the only mechanical failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4214F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4214F-2017-07-03), registration cancelled 2017-07-03, S/N 46114, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (UNDESIGNAT) - 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: 46114 - Year built: 1958 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Charles McClure - Registered owner: Spurlin Edgar - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PSF, PITTSFIELD, MA - Destination: Charlotte, NC - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 156 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 40° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 5 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: CXY, 15 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 20140324009189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140324009189A), Mar 24, 2014: Cessna 172, Carlisle, PA, Substantial damage. Pilot departed unknown airport (later identified as psf) enroute to clt (charlote, NC) at approximately 1800 local. Source of navigation unknown (pilot stated… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88967. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 953 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413375&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Record - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413376&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Record - Weather (item 3, .PDF, 168 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413377&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Weather-Master.PDF - FAA Interview Summary - Pilot (item 4, .PDF, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413378&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Interview%20Summary%20-%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Accident Airplane (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413379&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Accident%20Airplane%20(Courtesy%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.