# NTSB LAX91LA361: Cessna 172G, N5921R, Hilo, HI, August 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1991, 13:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Hilo, HI
- Coordinates: 19.690513, -155.080642 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=19.6905&lon=-155.0806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27330
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA361
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27330/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA361

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE INSTALLATION OF A NON STANDARD PROPELLER FOR WHICH NO PERFORMANCE CHARTS WERE AVAILABLE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories (cause)
  - performance data - inaccurate (cause)
  - information unavailable, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inaccurate, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

LESS THAN ONE GALLON OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE COMBINED FUEL SYSTEM. THE PILOT SAID HE PLANNED HIS FLIGHT AND FUEL REQUIRED PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. HE PRODUCED THE FLIGHT PLANNING DOCUMENT FOR FAA INSPECTORS, WHO CONFIRMED THE PLAN ACCURATELY DETAILED THE TRIP. FAA INSPECTORS FOUND THAT A MCCAULEY 1C172EM7649 PROPELLER WAS INSTALLED. THE PERFORMANCE CHART IN THE POH WERE BASED ON EITHER A 7653 OR 7651 PROPELLER BEING INSTALLED ON THE AIRCRAFT. THE FAA DETERMINED THAT THE MCCAULEY 7649 PROPELLER IS AN ALLOWABLE INSTALLATION ON THE AIRCRAFT ALTHOUGH IT IS A NON STANDARD ONE. ACCORDING TO THE FAA, THE 7649 PROPELLER WOULD AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE AIRCRAFT. REVIEW OF THE AIRCRAFT RECORDS REVEALED THAT THE PROPELLER WAS INSTALLED BY A PREVIOUS OWNER, AND THE CURRENT OWNER WAS UNAWARE OF THE NON STANDARD PROPELLER INSTALLATION AND ITS INVALIDATION OF THE PERFORMANCE CHARTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5921R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5921R-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 17253590, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17253590
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kainoa Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: James N. Burdeaux, III
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: HNM, HANA, MAUI, HI
- Destination: ITO, HILO, HI
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 90 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ITO, 5 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 19910818034699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910818034699A), Aug 18, 1991: Cessna 172G, Hilo, HI, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Nosed over in plowed field landing. Fuel tanks empty. Non standard prop. Fuel use was higher.

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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