# NTSB FTW00LA023: Cessna 172B, N7833X, Beaumont, TX, November 1, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 1, 1999, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Beaumont, TX - Coordinates: 30.070142, -94.110824 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0701&lon=-94.1108&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47671 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47671/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA023 ## Probable cause Fuel exhaustion as a result of the flight instructor's failure to refuel the airplane. 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(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane's engine lost power as a result of fuel exhaustion, and during the ensuing forced landing the airplane struck trees. According to the flight instructor, he visually confirmed that each fuel tank was 1/2 full before departing on a local training flight. He estimated that he had approximately 2 hours of flying time, based on the quantity of fuel in the tanks. The flight departed, flew approximately one hour, and returned to the airport. The student was executing touch-and-go landings, and on the fourth takeoff/climb, as the airplane turned crosswind, the engine began to 'sputter.' The flight instructor assumed control of the airplane and aligned it with runway 13. After the airplane had overflown 1/2 of the 3,601-foot runway, he advanced the throttle to see if the engine would respond. The engine responded, and he initiated a climb to set up for another landing. As the instructor turned the airplane back toward runway 31, the engine lost total power. The airplane came to rest 0.5 miles north of the approach end of runway 31. The FAA inspector, who examined the airplane, stated that both fuel tanks contained residual fuel only. ## Factual narrative On November 1, 1999, at 1630 central standard time, a Cessna 172B airplane, N7833X, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain during a forced landing near Beaumont, Texas. The certified flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The airplane was registered to an operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight originated from the Beaumont Municipal Airport, Beaumont, Texas, at 1500. According to the flight instructor, he visually confirmed that each wing fuel tank was 1/2 full during the preflight inspection. He estimated that he had approximately 2 hours of flying time based on the quantity of fuel in the tanks. The airplane departed and flew approximately one hour before returning to the airport. The student was executing touch-and-go landings on runway 31, and during the fourth takeoff/climb, as the airplane turned cross-wind, the engine began to "sputter." The flight instructor assumed control of the airplane and turned the airplane toward runway 13. The airplane had overflown 1/2 the length of the 3,601-foot runway when the instructor advanced the throttle to see if the engine would respond. The engine responded, and the instructor initiated a climb, intending to initiate another approach. The instructor turned the airplane back toward runway 31, and simultaneously, the engine "sputtered" and lost total power. The instructor executed a forced landing to a field. While on short final to the field, the airplane's wings struck trees, and the airplane contacted the ground. The airplane came to rest upright, 0.5 miles from the approach end of runway 31. The instructor stated that he visually checked the fuel tanks after the accident, and there "appeared to be little fuel in both tanks." The FAA inspector, who examined the airplane, reported that both wing spars were structurally damaged. He added that the fuel tanks contained "residual fuel only." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7833X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7833X-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 17248333, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172B - Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17248333 - Airframe hours: 2290 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Donald Lewis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1999, 10 hours before - Departed: BMT - Airport: BMT, Beaumont Municipal, runway 31, 3,601 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 445 total, 146 in this make and model, 345 as pilot in command, 207 in the last 90 days, 98 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 12 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BPT, 12 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 19991101030649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991101030649A), Nov 1, 1999: Cessna 172B, Beaumont, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On November 1, 1999, at 1630 central standard time, a Cessna 172B airplane, N7833X, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees during a forced… 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.