# NTSB FTW85FA060: Cessna 172A, N7415T, Hammond, LA, November 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1984, 17:01 local (23:01 UTC)
- Place: Hammond, LA
- Coordinates: 30.529487, -90.459068 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5295&lon=-90.4591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21512
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21512/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA060

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

NON-STOP ENDURANCE FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL IS 4.2 HRS IN NORMAL CRUISE. CALCULATED ETE FOR PLT'S REPORTED ROUTE OF FLIGHT IS 4.0 HRS (NON-STOP, NO WIND, NORMAL CRUISE). TIME FROM INTIAL DEPARTURE TO MISHAP WAS 6.0 HRS. ACFT OF THIS DISCRIPTION WAS OBSERVED TO LAND AT AN EN ROUTE ARPT AND DEPART WITHOUT REFUELING. PLT CALLED UNICOM AT ARPT 25 MILES FROM DESTINATION, REPORTING LOW FUEL STATE. ACFT OBSERVED IN APPARENT POWER-OFF GLIDE ON LONG STRAIGHT-IN TO RUNWAY. ABOUT 1.3 MILES FROM THRESHOLD, ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO ENTER A STEEP DECENDING 270 DEGREE TURN TOWARD SMALL OPEN AREA. INVESTIGATION REVEALED ACFT IMPACTED TREES SHORT OF OPEN AREA IN 90-DEGREE BANK AT ABOUT 25 FT AGL. NO EVIDENCE FUEL ON BOARD AT IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7415T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7415T-1985-02-01), registration cancelled 1985-02-01, S/N 47015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172A
- Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 47015
- Airframe hours: 3078
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-C 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cfc Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 1984, 35 hours before
- Departed: 2R9, KENNEDY, TX
- Destination: LAO8, COVINGTON, LA
- Airport: OR9, Hammond, runway 13, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 78; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 145° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °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 19841126063399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841126063399A), Nov 26, 1984: Cessna 172A, Hammond, LA, Destroyed. Fuel exhaustion, could not make airport. Turned away, dropped into trees.

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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