# NTSB FTW88FA011: Cessna 172M, N4357R, Midway, TX, October 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 23, 1987, 15:04 local (20:04 UTC)
- Place: Midway, TX
- Coordinates: 31.019203, -95.749389 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0192&lon=-95.7494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22523
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88FA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22523/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA011

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - shoulder harness - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT (A CO-OWNER) WAS ON THE 1ST FLT OF THE ACFT AFTER ITS 150 HP LYCOMING O-320 ENG HAD BEEN REPLACED WITH A 180 HP LYCOMING O-360 ENG. HE TOOK OFF AT ABOUT 1115 CDT. THE FLT PROGRESSED W/O RPRTD INCIDENT UNTIL 1437 CDT, WHEN THE PLT STATED THE ACFT WAS LOW ON FUEL. HE ELECTED TO DIVERT TO CONROE, TX & WAS CLRD TO PROCEED DIRECT. HE DSCNDD FROM 9000' TO 4000'. AT ABT 1559, HE DECLARED AN EMERG, STATING THE ENG HAD LOST PWR. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE TRIED TO MAKE AN EMERG LANDING IN AN OPEN AREA. HOWEVER, BEFORE LANDING, THE ACFT HIT TREES & CRASHED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT HAD A FUEL CAPACITY OF 38 GAL OF USABLE FUEL. IT HAD BEEN FLOWN ON A PREVIOUS FLT FOR APRX 1/2 HR & WAS NOT REFUELED PRIOR TO THIS FLT. PERSONNEL OF THE COMPANY THAT REPLACED THE ENG RPRTD THEY HAD BRIEFED THE PLT THAT FUEL CONSUMPTION OF THE NEW ENG WAS APRX 10 GAL/HR PER THE LYCOMING O-360 HANDBOOK. THE PLT'S SHOULDER HARNESS WAS FND IN A STOWED PSN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4357R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4357R-1995-07-25), registration cancelled 1995-07-25, S/N 17263108 (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: 17263108
- Airframe hours: 2133
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Britton F. Kelley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1987, 96 hours before
- Departed: EGT, WELLINGTON, KS
- Destination: CXO, CONROE, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 229 total, 79 in this make and model, 205 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLL, 40 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 19871023082239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871023082239A), Oct 23, 1987: Cessna 172M, Midway, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Ran out of fuel en route. Crashed into trees on the forced landing with open field around the small wooded area.

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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