# NTSB FTW86LRG11: Cessna 172M, N20889, Mcallen, TX, January 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 23, 1986, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Mcallen, TX
- Coordinates: 26.159433, -98.250923 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1594&lon=-98.2509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22151
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LRG11
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22151/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LRG11

## 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)
  - procedures/directives - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TWO TREES DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE ENG LOST PWR. THE PLT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF LNDG AT AN ARPT WHEN THE CONTROLLER ASKED HIM TO MAKE A 360 TURN BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC AND TO USE RWY 13 INSTEAD OF 18. AS THE PLT TURNED RT FOR A NEW BASE LEG THE ENG STOPPED. THE PLT NEVER ADVISED THE TWR OF A LOW FUEL STATE OR ASKED FOR EMERGENCY PRIORITY LNDG. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENG AND LNDED IN A WOODED AREA. THE CRASH RUPTURED THE FUEL LINES BUT THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILLAGE OR FUEL IN ANY OF THE ACFT TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20889](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20889-1990-07-25), registration cancelled 1990-07-25, S/N 17263866 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17263866
- Airframe hours: 2265
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-320-EZD 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Harriss
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 13, 1985
- Departed: RANCHO TANCASIV, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MFE, Miller International Arpt, runway 13, 7,103 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,244 total, 190 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 90° at 9 knots
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MFE, 1 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 19860123001059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860123001059A), Jan 23, 1986: Cessna 172M, Mc Allen, TX, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on base leg. Struck trees during the emergency landing one half mile west of approach end of 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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