# NTSB FTW84LA131: Cessna 172N, N2103E, Thibodaux, LA, February 9, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1984, 12:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Thibodaux, LA
- Coordinates: 29.789779, -90.8208 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7898&lon=-90.8208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21255
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21255/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA131

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT. A FBO VISUALLY INSPECTED THE WRECKAGE ACFT AND FOUND LITTLE GAS AND A LACK OF FUEL ODOR AROUND THE ACFT. LATER THE ENGINE WAS REFUELED AND RAN NORMALLY. THE 3 ACFT FUEL TANKS WERE FOUND EMPTY PRIOR TO THE REFUELING FOR THE ENGINE TEST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2103E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2103E-2011-01-24), registration cancelled 2011-01-24, S/N 17271157, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271157
- Airframe hours: 4855
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brentco Aeronautical
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 19, 1983, 105 hours before
- Departed: AUO, AUBURN, AL
- Destination: 6RO, SLIDELL, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19840209057599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840209057599A), Feb 9, 1984: Cessna 172N, Thibodaux, LA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel during a pipeline patrol. Nosed over in a cane field on the forced landing.

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.

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