# NTSB IAD97LA033: Cessna 172B, N6937X, Charleston, WV, December 16, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 16, 1996, 13:42 local (18:42 UTC)
- Place: Charleston, WV
- Coordinates: 38.370388, -81.560981 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3704&lon=-81.5610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28167
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD97LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28167/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA033

## Probable cause

improper planning/decision by the pilot, and his mismanagement of the fuel supply, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a forced landing into wooded terrain.

## Analysis

The pilot made a forced landing into wooded terrain after the engine lost power. Examination of the airplane revealed the fuel tanks were empty. The pilot did not provide an account of the accident after several requests; however, a witness indicated the pilot stated shortly after the accident that he had misjudged the amount of fuel in the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On December 16, 1996, at about 1342 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172B, N6937X, impacted terrain in a heavily wooded area approximately six miles southeast of the Charleston Yeager Airport, Charleston, West Virginia, while attempting a forced landing following a loss of engine power.  The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries and the aircraft was destroyed.  The flight originated from Fort Myers, Florida, exact time unknown, with an intended destination of Green City, Michigan and refueling at Charleston, West Virginia. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed.  The flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91.

A witness stated that he had spoke with the pilot shortly after the accident and said that the pilot stated that he had misjudged the amount of fuel in the airplane.  An examination of the wreckage by the FAA and other inspectors found no mechanical, electrical or flight control anomalies. The fuel tanks were found intact but void, of fuel, and the surrounding foliage revealed no evidence of a fuel spill.  The engine was tested in Mobile, Alabama at Teledyne Continental Motors and performed within specifications.

The pilot was sent a form 6120.1/2 0n 12/18/96. Subsequent phone calls were also made, however, the pilot had not returned a completed form 6120.1/2 by the time of this writing.

## 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
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel management - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with object, emergency landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6937X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6937X-1998-01-26), registration cancelled 1998-01-26, S/N 17247837 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172B
- Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17247837
- Airframe hours: 2171
- Engines: Continental O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Oren C. Nelson
- Registered owner: Oren C. Nelson
- Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 1996, 33 hours before
- Departed: 4J6, ST MARIES, GA
- Destination: 76G, GREEN CITY, MI
- Airport: CRW, Charleston Yeager

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRW, 6 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 19961216039459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961216039459A), Dec 16, 1996: Cessna 172B, Charleston, WV, Destroyed. Lost power enroute. Impacted terrain. Pilot stated misjudged fuel. Fuel tanks were empty.

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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