# NTSB LAX84LA442: Cessna 172N, N733XQ, Auburn, CA, August 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1984, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Auburn, CA
- Coordinates: 38.920726, -121.069824 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9207&lon=-121.0698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24376
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA442
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24376/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA442

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON AN ABANDONED AIRSTRIP AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT DURING A X-COUNTRY. THE SOLO STUDENT PLT SAID HE ENCOUNTERED HEAD WINDS AND LOWER THAN EXPECTED GROUND SPEEDS EVEN WITH INCREASED POWER. HE SAID THAT THE FUEL GAGES INDICATED 1/8 FULL WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. THE ACFT RECOVERY TEAM SAID THAT THE ACFT HAD A TOTAL OF ABOUT 1 CUP OF FUEL ABOARD AND THERE WERE NO LEAKS OR SIGNS OF SPILLAGE. THE PLT STATED THE ACFT WAS FULL AT DEPARTURE AND HE HAD FLOWN ABOUT 4 HOURS BEFORE THE ENGINE QUIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N733XQ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172268634
- Airframe hours: 1438
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: David Cavener, doing business as Douglas Aviation
- Registered owner: Daniel D. Haynes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SNS, SALINAS, CA
- Destination: O17, GRASS VALLEY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 104 total, 20 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19840818041519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840818041519A), Aug 18, 1984: Cessna 172N, Auburn, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on student crosscountry. Wing buckled on landing.

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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