# NTSB LAX02LA290: Cessna 172G, N2982U, Vail, AZ, September 18, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 18, 2002, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Vail, AZ - Coordinates: 32.044445, -110.786392 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0444&lon=-110.7864&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55725 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA290 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55725/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA290 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate fuel consumption calculations, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. ## 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) - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis During a planned nonstop cross-country flight from Texas to Arizona, the pilot exhausted all fuel and made a hard forced landing in a clearing. The pilot reported that en route strong headwinds were encountered, and he was aware that his fuel status was low but thought he had sufficient fuel to fly home despite the headwinds. The pilot acknowledged that he should have diverted to available airports but evidently misjudged the headwind and his available fuel. When all engine power was lost he aimed for a clearing near a drag strip. During the descent he observed power lines, dissipated airspeed to avoid them, and stalled thus impacting the ground hard. No mechanical problems were reported with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On September 18, 2002, about 1600 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172G, N2982U, experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise flight. The commercial pilot, who owned the airplane, made a forced landing in a clearing adjacent to the Pima County Fairgrounds, about 4 miles west of Vail, Arizona. The airplane stalled and impacted the ground hard. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan had been filed. The personal flight originated from El Paso, Texas, about 1330 mountain daylight time. The pilot held a current certified flight instructor certificate. He reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he had purchased the airplane earlier in the day from a company located in El Paso. He planned to fly the airplane nonstop to his home near Casa Grande, Arizona. He experienced strong headwinds while cruising en route, and noted that the airplane's fuel supply was low. The pilot stated that he should have diverted to available airports but thought he had sufficient fuel to fly home despite the headwinds. Approaching the Tucson area, he advised the air traffic controllers that he was low on fuel. When all engine power was lost he aimed for a clearing near a drag strip. On short final approach to the clearing he observed power lines and dissipated airspeed to avoid them. The airplane missed the power lines but stalled and impacted the ground hard. No mechanical problems were reported with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2982U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2982U-2018-01-10), registration cancelled 2018-01-10, S/N 17254808, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172G - Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17254808 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joseph A. Riggs, Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: ELP, El Paso, TX - Destination: CGZ, Casa Grande, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,775 total, 123 in this make and model, 1,650 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 19 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 10 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: TUS, 9 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 20020918025119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020918025119A), Sep 18, 2002: Cessna 172G, Vail, AZ, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 18, 2002, about 1600 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172G, N2982U, experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise flight. The… ## Other investigations on N2982U (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 GAA17CA513](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA513), Aug 30, 2017: Cessna 172 (N2982U), Belle Fourche, SD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a go-around in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in an… 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.