# NTSB FTW83LA447: Cessna 172M, N9865Q, Little Rock, AR, October 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1983, 20:00 local (Oct 1, 1983, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Little Rock, AR
- Coordinates: 34.750286, -92.280372 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7503&lon=-92.2804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21066
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA447
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21066/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA447

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE PLT VISUALLY CHECKED THE FUEL. HE BELIEVED THERE WAS SUFFICIENT FUEL ON BOARD FOR THE FLT & REPORTED THAT THE FUEL QUANTITY GAGES AGREED WITH HIS ESTIMATE. ACCORDING TO HIM, THERE WAS 25 TO 30 GAL OF FUEL ON BOARD WHEN HE TOOK OFF & NO MORE THAN 20 GAL SHOULD HAVE BEEN NEED. HOWEVER, BEFORE REACHING THE DESTINATION, THE ENG LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PLT TRIED TO LAND ON A ROAD AT DUSK, BUT THE ACFT CLIPPED THE TOPS OF TREES, THEN THE PLT MANEUVERED TO AVOID POWER LINES. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS LANDED IN UNDERBRUSH BESIDE THE ROAD. THE PLT SUSPECTED EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION, A FUEL LEAK OR FUEL SYPHONING. HOWEVER, NO MALFUNCTION OR LEAKAGE WAS VERIFIED. THE ENG WAS OPERATIONALLY CHECKED & RAN SMOOTHLY AT 900 RPM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9865Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17265809
- Airframe hours: 2893
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Airprot Flying School
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 18, 1982, 397 hours before
- Departed: ADS, ADDISON, TX
- Destination: LIT, LITTLE ROCK, AR
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,253 total, 62 in this make and model, 971 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19830930074879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830930074879A), Sep 30, 1983: Cessna 172M, Little Rock, AR, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit from fuel exhaustion.

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.