# NTSB FTW89LA063: Cessna 172, N7407T, Bastrop, TX, March 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1989, 00:15 local (06:15 UTC)
- Place: Bastrop, TX
- Coordinates: 30.110738, -97.299072 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1107&lon=-97.2991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22845
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22845/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA063

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE LOW CEILINGS AND FOG.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT RECEIVED TWO WEATHER BRIEFINGS AND WAS TOLD VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. HE FLEW TO TWO TOWNS WHICH WERE BOTH IFR, THEN TO ANOTHER, WHERE HE LET DOWN THROUGH THE CLOUDS. HE WAS CIRCLING A TOWN, WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. DURING THE FORCED LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE RAN INTO TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7407T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7407T-1989-11-01), registration cancelled 1989-11-01, S/N 47007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 47007
- Airframe hours: 3921
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-C 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mid Tex Controls, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 1988, 35 hours before
- Departed: 30F, DALLAS, TX
- Destination: HRL, HARLINGEN, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 620 total, 500 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F

## 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 19890303003139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890303003139A), Mar 3, 1989: Cessna 172A, Bastrop, TX, Substantial damage. Fog began on night flight. Unable to land at airport. Became lost, ran out of fuel. Crashed. VFR flight not advised

## Other investigations on N7407T (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 CHI68F0302](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI68F0302), Sep 19, 1967: Cessna 172A (N7407T), Plain City, OH, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.