# NTSB FTW99LA213: Cessna 172N, N737JP, Hot Springs, AR, August 8, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 8, 1999, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Hot Springs, AR - Coordinates: 34.499908, -93.05046 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4999&lon=-93.0505&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46936 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46936/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA213 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a 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 - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - wire,transmission - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the airplane was in cruise flight at 3,000 feet above ground level when he observed the fuel gauges indicating 'EMPTY.' The airplane was 3 miles from the airport when the engine 'sputtered' and lost power. During the ensuing forced landing to an open field, the airplane contacted a power line and came to rest nose down in the field. The pilot stated that the airplane 'ran out of fuel.' The examination of the airplane inspector revealed no fuel in either of the two wing fuel tanks, and no evidence of fuel spillage at the accident site. ## Factual narrative On August 8, 1999, at 1500 central daylight time, a Cessna 172N airplane, N737JP, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Hot Springs, Arkansas. The airplane was registered to Southern Arkansas Aero Center Inc., of Magnolia, Arkansas, and operated by a private individual. The non-instrument rated private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Gastons Airport, Lakeview, Arkansas, at 1400. According to the 311-hour pilot, the flight was destined for the Memorial Field Airport, Hot Springs, Arkansas, where the airplane was to be refueled. The airplane was in cruise flight at 3,000 feet agl when he observed the fuel gauges indicating "EMPTY." He stated that the fuel selector was in the "BOTH" position, and the airplane was 3 miles from the Memorial Field Airport when the engine "sputtered" and lost total power. The pilot sated that the airplane "ran out of fuel." During the ensuing forced landing to an open field, the airplane contacted a powerline and came to rest nose down in the field. The pilot reported that the following weather conditions existed at the time of the accident: visibility 5 miles with haze, ceiling at 25,000 feet broken, temperature 98 degrees Fahrenheit, and calm winds. An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the site and reported that the engine firewall was damaged and the fuselage was buckled. The nose landing gear separated from the airframe and the left wing tip was damaged. The FAA inspector added that fuel was not present in either of the two fuel tanks, and there was no evidence of fuel spillage at the site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N737JP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N737JP-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 17269455, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17269455 - Airframe hours: 3126 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jim Jamison - Registered owner: Southern Arkansas Aero Center - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1999, 30 hours before - Departed: 3M0, LAKEVIEW, AR - Destination: HOT, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 311 total, 37 in this make and model, 169 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: HOT, 3 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 19990808011139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990808011139A), Aug 8, 1999: Cessna 172N, Hot Springs, AR, Substantial damage. Rough engine, acft hit power line and ground looped on landing. (-23)on August 8, 1999, at 1524 central daylight time, a Cessna 172N airplane, N737JP, was… 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.