# NTSB FTW93LA041: Cessna 172, N7124A, Hamlin, TX, November 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1992, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Hamlin, TX
- Coordinates: 32.880157, -100.119483 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8802&lon=-100.1195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18619
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18619/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA041

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SWITCH FUEL TANKS AND HIS FAILURE TO PERFORM THE PRESCRIBED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOLLOWING THE FUEL STARVATION INDUCED ENGINE FAILURE.  A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE EMERGENCY LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel system,selector/valve - not switched (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE STUDENT PILOT, AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR IN FLIGHT, HE SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM BOTH TO THE LEFT TANK.  DURING DESCENT INTO HIS DESTINATION AREA, THE ENGINE QUIT.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD FORGOTTEN TO SWITCH TANKS AND HAD RUN THE LEFT TANK DRY.  HE SAID THAT HE CONCENTRATED ON FLYING THE AIRPLANE AND DID NOT ATTEMPT TO SWITCH TANKS AND RESTART THE ENGINE.  HE SELECTED A COTTON FIELD AS A FORCED LANDING AREA; HOWEVER, HE OVERSHOT AND THE AIRPLANE LANDED IN A MESQUITE THICKET. AFTER ROLLING THROUGH THE THICKET, THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST IN A FOUR FOOT DEEP STOCK POND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7124A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7124A-2013-05-03), registration cancelled 2013-05-03, S/N 29224, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 29224
- Airframe hours: 1852
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Klepper, David L.
- Registered owner: Klepper, David L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 22, 1992, 3 hours before
- Departed: 1F7, DALLAS, TX
- Destination: 56F, ROTAN, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 145 total, 37 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABI, 38 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 19921126048199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921126048199A), Nov 26, 1992: Cessna 172, Hamlin, TX, Destroyed. Ran a tank dry. Concentrated on landing and failed to switch to other tank,overshot clear area into a stock pond.

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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