# NTSB IAD98LA063: Cessna 175, N6577E, Pemberton, NJ, May 25, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 25, 1998, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Pemberton, NJ - Location: 39.9736° N, 74.6869° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pemberton, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9736&lon=-74.6869&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 7, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28302 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD98LA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28302/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA063 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate fuel consumption calculations and his improper in-flight decision to continue flying with an inadequate fuel supply. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing ## Analysis The pilot reported that he added 20 gallons of fuel, prior to his departure, which brought the total fuel onboard between 45 and 48 gallons. He purchased this fuel at a local airport and transported it to his airplane at the lake, since no fueling services were available at Lake Hinkley. The pilot estimated the flight would take him about 2 1/2 hours to complete. About 2 hours after his departure, the engine lost power, and the pilot 'landed the airplane in a corn field, out of fuel.' He stated that he had no mechanical problems with the airplane, and that the fuel gages gradually decreased during the flight; however, he 'would not rely on the fuel gages in a forty year old airplane.' Examination of the airplane revealed that both fuel tanks were intact and empty. According to a representative of the engine's manufacturer, the fuel consumption for the model engine was 8 to 10 gallons per hour. The pilot reported 250 hours of total flight experience, 10 hours of which were in the make and model of the accident airplane. ## Factual narrative On May 25, 1998, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 175, N6577E, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Pemberton, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight destined for the Philadelphia Seaplane Base (9N2), Essington, Pennsylvania. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that prior to his departure from Lake Hinkley, New York, at 1245, he added 20 gallons of fuel, which brought the total fuel onboard between 45 and 48 gallons. He stated that he purchased this fuel at a local airport and transported it to his airplane at the lake, since no fueling services were available at Lake Hinkley. The pilot estimated the flight would take him about 2 1/2 hours to complete. He reported that while en route, the airplane was operating at a decreased power level, requiring him to continually add power to maintain the same RPM amount and "keep it on the step." About 30 minutes from his destination, at 1500, the engine lost power, and the pilot "landed the airplane in a corn field, out of fuel." He stated that he had no mechanical problems with the airplane, and that the fuel gages gradually decreased during the flight, however he "would not rely on the fuel gages in a forty year old airplane." A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector reported that the airplane impacted the field on its water floats, and slid to a stop in an upright position. Both fuel tanks were examined by the Inspector, and found intact and empty. A mechanic, who inspected the airplane after the accident, reported that the magneto oil seals were broken and oil was discovered leaking into both magnetos. Spark plug wires were found "frayed" and "old" and according to the mechanic, their malfunction would have caused an increased fuel consumption by the engine. According to a representative of the engine's manufacturer, the fuel consumption for the model engine was 8 to 10 gallons per hour. The representative also stated that the engine would not consume much more fuel than 10 gallons per hour if the magneto timing was incorrect, oil was leaking inside the magnetos, and their harnesses were in poor condition. The pilot reported 250 hours of total flight experience, 10 hours of which were in the make and model of the accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6577E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6577E-2016-11-17), registration cancelled 2016-11-17, S/N 56077, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 175 - Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 56077 - Engines: Lycoming O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joseph Reed Wilson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NONE, LAKE HINKLEY, NY - Destination: 9N2, ESSINGTON, PA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 250 total, 10 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 7 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: WRI, 10 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 19980525010719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980525010719A), May 25, 1998: Cessna 175, Pemberton, NJ, Substantial damage. Acft was enroute from new york to phil when it ran out of fuel. Landed in a cornfield. Pemberton, NJ. (.4)the pilot reported that he added 20 gallons of fuel,… 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.