# NTSB FTW93LA202: Cessna 172D, N2446U, Lampasas, TX, July 2, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 1, 1993, 20:15 local (Jul 2, 1993, 01:15 UTC) - Place: Lampasas, TX - Coordinates: 31.060958, -98.180892 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0610&lon=-98.1809&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18784 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA202 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18784/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA202 ## Probable cause FUEL EXHAUSTION ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION. 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, cruise - normal - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis A PILOT DECIDED TO TAKE HIS AIRPLANE FOR A SHORT FLIGHT IN THE LOCAL AREA KNOWING THAT HE HAD NOT REFUELED SINCE HIS LAST TWO FLIGHTS TOTALLING APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS. APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE SURFACE WINDS WERE BLOWING AT 13 KNOTS AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO EXECUTE THE FORCED LANDING INTO THE WIND, IN A SMALL CLEARING SURROUNDED BY TREES. THE PILOT'S PREFLIGHT WAS LIMITED TO CHECKING THE FUEL GAGES ON THE AIRPLANE ## Factual narrative On July 1, 1993, at approximately 2015 central daylight time, a Cessna 172D, N2446U, was substantially damaged upon impact with trees and the ground following a loss of engine power while in cruise flight near Lampasas, Texas. The private pilot and his passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. According to the pilot, he decided to take the airplane for a short flight in the local area knowing that he had not refueled since his last two flight totalling approximately three hours. The pilot added that about five minutes into the flight, a partial loss of engine power was experienced and he proceeded to bank the airplane to the left to head towards an open field, when the engine lost all power. He further stated that due to the strong surface winds he elected to turn the airplane into the wind to execute the forced landing. The airplane landed in a small field and ran into trees. The pilot stated that his preflight of the fuel system was limited to checking the fuel level on the airplane's fuel gauges. Post accident examination of the fuel cells by the pilot revealed that fuel in either fuel cell was between half a gallon, to a gallon of fuel. Damage to the airplane included a damaged right wing spar, a collapsed nose wheel, a buckled engine firewall, and a destroyed right wing aileron. The airplane was released to the owner at the accident site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2446U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2446U-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 17250046, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172D - Registry model: [Cessna 172D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172d) (registry code 2072410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172250046 - Airframe hours: 3954 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bowden, Glenna F. - Registered owner: Bowden, Glenna F. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1993, 8 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,100 total, 110 in this make and model, 2,800 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 13 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GRK, 25 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 19930701022079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930701022079A), Jul 1, 1993: Cessna 172D, Lampasas, TX, Substantial damage. Local flight. Knew to be low on fuel on departure. Within 5MINS lost power. Landed small clearing in trees. 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.