# NTSB FTW93LA045: Cessna 172N, N28ER, Tryon, OK, November 28, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 28, 1992, 16:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Tryon, OK
- Coordinates: 35.869201, -96.960342 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8692&lon=-96.9603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18623
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18623/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA045

## Probable cause

POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION AND THE PILOTS IMPROPER SELECTION OF THE OFF POSITION ON THE FUEL SELECTOR. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - other
  - landing gear,nose gear - collapsed
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- Nose over, other

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR ON THE LEFT TANK AND AN UNKNOWN MINIMUM AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. DURING CLIMB OUT THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. CARBURETOR HEAT WAS APPLIED AND A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED WHEN THE PILOT MOVED THE FUEL SELECTOR SWITCH TO THE 'OFF' POSITION. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE NOSE GEAR STRUCK A RAILROAD TIE AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. NO ANOMALIES WERE FOUND OR REPORTED BY THE FAA INSPECTOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28ER](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28ER-1993-12-22), registration cancelled 1993-12-22, S/N 17269523 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269523
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mccutchen, Hurcel N.
- Registered owner: Mccutchen, Hurcel N.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Destination: SWO, STILLWATER, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,023 total, 1,023 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OKC, 30 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 19921128048169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921128048169A), Nov 28, 1992: Cessna 172N, Tryon, OK, Substantial damage. Took off with fuel selector on near empty tank. Engine quit. Inadvertently switched fuel to off. Nosed over landing

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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