# NTSB LAX90LA196: Cessna 172E, N5714T, Brentwood, CA, May 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1990, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Brentwood, CA
- Coordinates: 37.869022, -121.680259 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8690&lon=-121.6803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26822
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26822/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA196

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IMPROPERLY CALCULATED THE FUEL CONSUMPTION CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO SUSTAIN A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DUE TO 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 - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ravine

## Analysis

WHILE ENROUTE TO NAPA, CA, THE ACFT SUSTAINED A TOTAL ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE TOPPED THE FUEL TANKS 2 DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. HE FLEW THE AIRPLANE ON A 20 MINUTE FLT FM CORONA ARPT TO SNA ARPT. HE DEPARTED SNA AND FLEW TO HARRIS RANCH, ABT A 2.2 HR FLT, AND THEN ONTO NAPA. THE PLT HAD PLACED THE FUEL SELECTOR ON THE BOTH POSIITON ON THE FLT TO NAPA. AFTER REACHING THE CRUISING ALT THE PILOT SELECTED THE RIGHT TANK. ABT 1.1 HRS LATER WHEN THE FLT WAS BETWEEN NAVY'S CROWS LANDING AND STOCKTON, CA THE RIGHT TANK'S FUEL WAS TOTALLY CONSUMED. THE PLT SWITCHED TANKS AND ELECTED TO LAND AT CONCORD. WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS APPROACHING BRENTWOOD, ABT 0.3 HOURS LATER THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED TOTAL FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE FLT TIMES NOTED ARE ESTIMATED BASED ON AN AVERAGE GROUND SPEED OF 97 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5714T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5714T-2012-07-31), registration cancelled 2012-07-31, S/N 17251614, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E
- Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17251614
- Airframe hours: 3567
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-C 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles A. & Lela R. Barlow
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 26, 1990, 45 hours before
- Departed: 308, COALINGA, CA
- Destination: APA, NAPA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 146 total, 100 in this make and model, 146 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19900525017609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900525017609A), May 25, 1990: Cessna 172E, Livermore, CA, Substantial damage. Departed without refueling. Ran out en route. Had passed an airport with low fuel status. Crash landed in ravine.

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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