# NTSB FTW89LA027: Cessna 172B, N7917X, Plano, TX, December 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 3, 1988, 17:52 local (23:52 UTC)
- Place: Plano, TX
- Coordinates: 33.029941, -96.670417 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0299&lon=-96.6704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22818
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22818/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA027

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION WHICH RESULTED FROM THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS AND HIS FAILURE TO UTILIZE NUMEROUS SUITABLE SOURCES OF FUEL ALONG HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT.

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON A MULTIPLE LEG X-COUNTRY FLT & LANDED AT AN ALTERNATE ARPT TO ADD 'A LITTLE EXTRA FUEL.'  DUE TO LOCKED PUMPS, FUEL WAS NOT AVAILABLE, SO HE ELECTED TO FLY TO A NEARBY ARPT. HOWEVER, SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ENG LOST POWER. DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD, THE NOSE GEAR FAILED & THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE PLT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGES INDICATED THE TANKS WERE ABOUT 1/8 FULL, BUT DURING A POST-ACDNT EXAM, ONLY ABOUT 3 CUPS OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE TANKS. THE ENG RAN NORMALLY DURING A POST-ACDNT TEST.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
- Nose over, landing

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7917X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7917X-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 17248417, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172B
- Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17248417
- Airframe hours: 4455
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: J&J Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Horton, Laine A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 14, 1988, 96 hours before
- Departed: F69
- Destination: ADS, ADDISON, TX
- Airport: F69, Dallas Air Park, runway 16, 3,000 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 580 in this make and model, 540 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAL, 15 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 19881203053929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881203053929A), Dec 3, 1988: Cessna 172B, Plano, TX, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on climbout. Stalled, bounced into air, came down and nosed over. Landed to fuel, none available.

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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