# NTSB FTW86FRA09: Cessna 172P, N52768, Lake Jackson, TX, February 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1986, 01:00 local (07:00 UTC)
- Place: Lake Jackson, TX
- Coordinates: 29.040607, -95.43975 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0406&lon=-95.4398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21949
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FRA09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21949/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FRA09

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED DURING FORCED LANDING AFTER A POWER LOSS. THE ACFT ENG QUIT, AFTER A 4 HR X-COUNTRY, DURING THE LNDG APPROACH. THE ACFT HAD BEEN FLOWN LOCALLY OVER AN HOUR BY ANOTHER PLT (CREW). THIS MADE A CUMULATIVE FLT TIME ON THE ACFT OF OVER 5 HRS SINCE REFUELING. THE ACFT HELD 40 USABLE GALLONS OF FUEL AND BURNED 8 OR MORE GALS OF FUEL AN HR DEPENDING ON CIRCUMSTANCES OF OPERATION. THE ACFT WAS EXAMINED FOR FUEL AFTER THE ACC AND A LITTLE FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE TANKS AND CARBURETOR FLOAT BOWL BUT NONE IN THE GASCOLATOR OR RELATED FUEL LINES. THE REFUELED ENG WAS RUN SUCCESSFULLY ON A TEST STAND AFTER THE ACC. ONE OF THE PASSENGERS SAID HE AND THE PLT NOTED THE FUEL GAUGES AT A LOW FUEL STATE NEAR THE END OF THE FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52768](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52768-1991-04-17), registration cancelled 1991-04-17, S/N 17274604 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274604
- Airframe hours: 1248
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brazosport Lfying Clumb, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 8, 1985, 48 hours before
- Departed: 3R5, NEW BRAUNFELS, TX
- Destination: LBX, LAKE JACKSON, TX
- Airport: LBX, Brazoria Co., runway 17, 6,001 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 198 total, 182 in this make and model, 138 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: 140° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 34 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 19860203002119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860203002119A), Feb 3, 1986: Cessna 172P, Lake Jackson, TX, Destroyed. VFR pilot flew into IFR weather and ran out of fuel in pattern. Stalled and struck ground short of the runway.

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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