# NTSB FTW89LA008: Cessna 172, N7185Q, San Antonio, TX, October 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1988, 23:45 local (Oct 23, 1988, 04:45 UTC)
- Place: San Antonio, TX
- Coordinates: 29.559659, -98.360092 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5597&lon=-98.3601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22808
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22808/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA008

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN FLOWN FOR 2.2 HOURS SINCE REFUELING WHEN THIS PILOT STARTED HIS FLIGHT. THIS PILOT FLEW THE AIRPLANE FOR 2.5 HOURS AND THE ENGINE QUIT. DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A POWER POLE AND POWER LINES, AND THEN THE TERRAIN. NO USABLE FUEL FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANKS. NO PREIMPACT PROBLEMS COULD BE FOUND WITH THE AIRPLANE OR ENGINE. ONE FUEL LINE BETWEEN THE FIREWALL FUEL FILTER AND THE CARBURETOR WAS FOUND TO BE BROKEN BUT NO INDICATION OF SPILLED FUEL WAS FOUND. PLTS LAST MEDICAL EXAM WAS JAN 1986.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7185Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7185Q-1995-04-21), registration cancelled 1995-04-21, S/N 17260485 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17260485
- Airframe hours: 4784
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Powell, Marion E.
- Registered owner: Powell, Marion E
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 9, 1988, 27 hours before
- Departed: GLS, GALVESTON, TX
- Destination: SAT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 290 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT, 5 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 19881022048769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881022048769A), Oct 22, 1988: Cessna 172L, San Antonio, TX, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel en route. Landing in a city street. Struck a powerpole. Was told fuel not full on departure.

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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