# NTSB LAX89LA161: Cessna 175, N8174T, Victorville, CA, April 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1989, 12:27 local (19:27 UTC)
- Place: Victorville, CA
- Location: 34.5361° N, 117.2912° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Victorville, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5361&lon=-117.2912&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26380
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26380/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA161

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CONDUCT AN ADEQUATE PREFLIGHT AND ASSURE THE PROPER QUANTITY OF FUEL ON BOARD FOR THE PROPOSED FLIGHT.

## 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 (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - information insufficient, passenger (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT OWNER WAS NOT A PILOT AND ENGAGED THE SERVICES OF A LOCAL PILOT TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT FROM A MAINTENANCE FACILITY TO ITS HOME BASE. THE PILOT ASSUMED THAT THE OWNER WAS A PILOT THAT JUST WAS NOT CURRENT AND OBSERVED THE OWNER CONDUCT THE PREFLIGHT. THE PILOT VERBALLY CONFIRMED THE ADEQUACY OF FUEL FOR THE FLIGHT WITH THE OWNER. THE OWNER ESTIMATED ONE HALF TANKS BY FUEL GAUGE, VISUAL, AND DIP STICK INDICATIONS. THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT HAVE ANY EVIDENCE OF FUEL ON BOARD AFTER THE FORCED LANDING AND THE DEPARTURE FUEL WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 10 GALLONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8174T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8174T), registered now, S/N 17556874, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175
- Registry model: [Cessna 175B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175b) (registry code 2072506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17556874
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GO-300-D 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bruffett, Blair A., Sr.
- Departed: LO5, KERNVILLE, CA
- Destination: DAG, DAGGETT, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VCV, 15 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 19890415012209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890415012209A), Apr 15, 1989: Cessna 175B, Victorville, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Crash landed on road. Owner a non pilot,incorrectly checked fuel. Hired pilot did not check

## Other investigations on N8174T (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 LAX68D0206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX68D0206), Nov 11, 1967: Cessna 175 (N8174T), Saugus, CA, substantial damage

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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