# NTSB LAX91LA227: Cessna R172K, N736MR, Santa Clarita, CA, May 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1991, 14:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Santa Clarita, CA
- Coordinates: 34.376895, -118.54092 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3769&lon=-118.5409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27218
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA227
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27218/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA227

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROPERLY PERFORM PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND TO ENSURE THAT AN ADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY EXISTED FOR THE 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR, THE PILOT LEFT VAN NUYS ON THE AFTERNOON OF MAY 24, 1991, ENROUTE TO LAKE HAVASU FOR THE WEEKEND.  AT THE TIME THE PILOT ACCEPTED THE AIRCRAFT, THE FUEL LEVEL WAS SOMETHING LESS THAN FULL.  AT LAKE HAVASU, THE PILOT LOADED 11.8 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AT THE ACCIDENT SITE BY FAA PERSONNEL FROM THE VAN NUYS, CALIFORNIA, FLIGHT STANDARDS DISTRICT OFFICE REVEALED THAT ONLY RESIDUAL FUEL WAS LEFT IN THE FUEL TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N736MR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N736MR-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N R1722638, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA R172K
- Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1722638
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-K 195 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: San Val Flying Service
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: LHU, LAKE HAVASU, AZ
- Destination: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 150 total, 4 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 5 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 19910527065559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910527065559A), May 27, 1991: Cessna R172K, Santa Clarita, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Crash landing on a road.

## Other investigations on N736MR (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 FTW77DQG51](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77DQG51), Sep 1, 1977: Cessna R172K (N736MR), San Angelo, TX, 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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