# NTSB FTW88LA156: Cessna 172E, N7746U, Katy, TX, August 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1988, 00:30 local (05:30 UTC)
- Place: Katy, TX
- Location: 29.7913° N, 95.8410° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Katy, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7913&lon=-95.8410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22679
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22679/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA156

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION INDUCED POWER LOSS, WHICH NECESSITATED THE FORCED LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S DECISION TO ATTEMPT TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO REFUEL, AND BECOMING LOST DURING THAT EFFORT.

## 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 - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED ON THE NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING NIGHT CURRENCY. DURING THE RETURN LEG THE PILOT STOPPED AT THREE AIRPORTS, BUT WAS UNABLE TO FUEL BECAUSE FIXED BASE OPERATORS WERE CLOSED. IN AN EFFORT TO RETURN TO THE POINT OF DEPARTURE THE PILOT OVERFLEW THE DESTINATION BECAUSE AIRPORT LIGHTING WAS SECURED AT 2300. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO A LIGHTED PRIVATE STRIP THE FUEL EXHAUSTION INDUCED POWER LOSS OCCURRED. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE LEFT WING STRUCK A POWER LINE AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN NOSE GEAR FIRST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7746U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7746U-1990-04-23), registration cancelled 1990-04-23, S/N 17251746 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E
- Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17251746
- Airframe hours: 700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gatlin Aviation
- Registered owner: Mari K. Hall
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1988, 50 hours before
- Departed: 11R, BRENHAM, TX
- Destination: 3XSL, WALLER, TX
- Airport: Lovey Trails, runway 18, 2,800 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 645 total, 65 in this make and model, 553 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19880827035559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880827035559A), Aug 27, 1988: Cessna 172E, Katy, TX, Substantial damage. On night currency flight unable to get fuel and over flew unlighted alternate. Located another but ran out of fuel.

## Other investigations on N7746U (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW66F0121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66F0121), Jul 1, 1965: Cessna 172 (N7746U), Alvin, TX, substantial damage

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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