# NTSB GAA18CA431: Cessna 172, N1401F, King and Queen, VA, July 5, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 5, 2018, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: King and Queen, VA - Coordinates: 37.720001, -76.840835 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7200&lon=-76.8408&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97700 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA431 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97700/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97700 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA431 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, about 3 hours en route, he realized that the airplane's fuel level was very low. He started to look for nearby airports to land, but the engine rpm dropped, and he realized the airplane was going to run out of fuel before making it to an alternate airport. He decided to land in a nearby field, but on final, the engine experienced a total power loss. Subsequently, during the off-airport landing, the airplane's nosewheel touched down first and broke off. The airplane then "teetered," and both wings struck the ground before the airplane came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that he departed with about 40 gallons of fuel. He added that he must have burned off more fuel during taxi and takeoff than he realized and, that if he had stopped for fuel earlier in the flight, the accident would not have happened. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, about 3 hours enroute, he realized the airplane's fuel level was very low. He started to look for nearby airports to land, but the engine rpm dropped and he realized the airplane was going to run out of fuel before making it to an alternate airport. He decided to land in a nearby field, but on final the engine experienced a total power loss. Subsequently, during the off-airport landing, the nosewheel of the airplane touched down first and broke off. The airplane then "teetered" with both wings striking the ground before the airplane came to rest. The pilot added that if he had stopped for fuel earlier in the flight the accident would not have happened. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that he departed with about 40 gallons of fuel. He also added that he must have burned off more fuel during taxi and take off. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1401F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1401F-2022-04-02), registration cancelled 2022-04-02, S/N 17254896 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (H) - Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17254896 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 3763 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 2017 - Departed: SYM, Morehead, KY - Destination: MFV, Melfa, VA - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 17, 2017; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 160 total, 145 in this make and model, 98 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 10 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,700 ft broken - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KXSA, 8 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 20180705012609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180705012609A), Jul 5, 2018: Cessna 172H, King And Queen, VA, Substantial damage. Pilot departed ksym (moorehead airport) enroute to kmfv (melfa airport) with no planned fuel stops. Pilot experienced power loss and subsequent fuel starvation… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 30, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97700. 811 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 811 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467833&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF 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.