# NTSB LAX83LA218: Cessna 172E, N7795U, Gila Bend, AZ, May 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1983, 20:45 local (May 6, 1983, 03:45 UTC)
- Place: Gila Bend, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.989261, -112.89936 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9893&lon=-112.8994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23700
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23700/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA218

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT DEPARTED LIVERMORE, CA AT AN UNDETERMINED TIME. HE REPORTED THAT HIS DESTINATION WAS TUCSON, AZ. EN ROUTE STOPS WERE MADE AT BAKERSFIELD & BANNING, CA. AFTER REFUELING AT BANNING, HE DEPARTED ON A UNSPECIFIED & UNDETERMINED ROUTE. HE STATED THAT IN THE VICINITY OF AJO, AZ, HE ELECTED TO RETURN TO GILA BEND, AZ, BUT PROVIDED NO REASON FOR THE DIVERSION. ACCORDING TO HIM, THE ENGINE QUIT RUNNING DURING ARRIVAL & HE WAS TOO LOW TO ALIGN THE ACFT WITH THE RWY. THE ACFT WAS LANDED CROSS-WISE TO THE RWY & COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BERM. AN EXAM REVEALED THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY & ONLY ABOUT 2 GAL WAS REMAINING IN THE RIGHT TANK. UNUSABLE FUEL FOR THE CESSNA 172E IS APRX 2 GAL. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE STUDENT PILOT WAS INDORSED FOR THE X-COUNTRY. THERE WAS NO INDICATION IN HIS REPORT THAT EITHER OF THE PASSENGERS WERE RATED PILOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7795U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7795U-1986-05-06), registration cancelled 1986-05-06, S/N 17251795 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E
- Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17251795
- Airframe hours: 5057
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joe S. Enloe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1982
- Departed: BANNING, CA
- Destination: TUS, TUCSON, AZ
- Airport: E63, Gila Bend Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 5 in this make and model, 220 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 250° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GBN

## 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 19830505018069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830505018069A), May 5, 1983: Cessna 172E, Gila Bend, AZ, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing on airport after engine quit from fuel exhaustion.

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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