# NTSB GAA20CA006: Cessna 172, N7871U, Kaplan, LA, October 5, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 4, 2019, 19:30 local (Oct 5, 2019, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Kaplan, LA
- Coordinates: 29.937221, -92.319725 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9372&lon=-92.3197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 100389
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100389/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100389
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA006

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation, a total loss of engine power, and impact with a pole during an off-airport landing.

## 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 management (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172F, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072414), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072414), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=2072414), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172F, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072414), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Enroute: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Cessna 172F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=2072414), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172F, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072414), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172F, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072414), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, at departure, the airplane had 39 gallons of fuel and that, about 1 hour 40 minutes after departure, the engine lost power. He adjusted the fuel mixture and throttle to no avail. While he was maneuvering for an off-airport landing, the left wing impacted a pole. The airplane then rotated counterclockwise and impacted an open field, and the nose landing gear broke off. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount, fuselage, and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The sheriff's deputy who responded to the accident reported that he saw fuel pouring out of the left wing. The Federal Aviation Administrator inspector who examined the airplane reported that the fuel selector lever was positioned to the right tank. The right wing tank contained between about 8 and 10 ounces of fuel with no visible signs of leakage. The wing-to-fuselage lower trim panel was removed, and the vent line and fuel supply lines were intact and secured. The left wing tank contained about 4.5 gallons. Fuel seepage stains were seen on the forward part of the pilot door. The inspector added that the overall engine condition was good.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane departed with 39 gallons of fuel, and about 1 hour and 40 minutes after departure the engine lost power. He adjusted the fuel mixture and throttle, with no effect. While maneuvering for an off-airport landing, the left wing impacted a pole and rotated the airplane counterclockwise. Subsequently, the nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest in an open field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount, fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The sheriff's deputy, that responded to the accident, observed that there was fuel pouring out of the left wing of the airplane. The Federal Aviation Administrator inspector who examined the airplane reported that the fuel selector lever was on the right tank selected position. The right wing tank contained about 8-10 oz. of fuel remaining with no visible signs of leakage. Upon removal of wing to fuselage lower trim panel it was noted that the vent line and fuel supply lines were intact and secured. The left wing tank contained about 4.5 gallons. Visual evidence of fuel seepage stains were observed on forward part of pilot door. The inspector further added that the overall engine condition was good.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7871U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7871U-2021-04-03), registration cancelled 2021-04-03, S/N 17251871, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (F)
- Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17251871
- Year built: 1964
- Airframe hours: 3951.67
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 22, 2018
- Departed: DWH, Houston, TX
- Destination: ARA, New Iberia, LA
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, ADS-B, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 3, 2018; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 250 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: KIYA, 13 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 20191004019099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191004019099A), Oct 4, 2019: Cessna 172F, Kaplan, LA, Substantial damage. Pilot reported aircraft engine died at approximately 3500 feet and after several attempts to restart decided to make an emergency landing. Aircraft went over a…

## Other investigations on N7871U (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC67D0063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67D0063), Jun 30, 1966: Cessna 172F (N7871U), Kennett, MO, substantial damage

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 11, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100389. 1.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 831 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478960&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Record of E-mail Correspondence (FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478961&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20E-mail%20Correspondence%20(FAA)-Master.PDF
- Record of E-mail Correspondence (Sheriff's Dept.) (item 3, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478962&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20E-mail%20Correspondence%20(Sheriff%27s%20Dept.)-Master.PDF
- Record of Phone Conversation (Pilot) (item 4, .PDF, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478963&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Phone%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (item 5, .PDF, 3 photos, 397 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478964&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.

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