# NTSB LAX93LA268: Cessna 172, N2791U, Danville, CA, June 27, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1993, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Danville, CA
- Coordinates: 37.810642, -121.969223 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8106&lon=-121.9692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27979
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA268
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27979/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA268

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE DOWNSLOPING TERRAIN.

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - vehicle
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)

## Analysis

BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL TANKS WERE FULL AND CALCULATED THE TOTAL FUEL ON BOARD WAS EQUIVALENT TO 4.2 HOURS.  THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT SINCE THE LAST REFUELING, THE AIRPLANE FLEW 0.8 HOURS.  THE PILOT FLEW TO TWO DIFFERENT AIRPORTS BEFORE RETURNING TO THE HOME BASE.  HE ALSO PERFORMED TWO OR THREE TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS AT THE ITINERARY AIRPORTS.  ABOUT 30 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTING THE LAST ITINERARY AIRPORT THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER.  THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE DURING THE ENSUING EMERGENCY LANDING. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THE AIRPLANE CONTAINED ABOUT 1 3/4 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE LEFT WING TANK.  THE RIGHT WING TANK WAS EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2791U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2791U-2014-09-25), registration cancelled 2014-09-25, S/N 17250391, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172d) (registry code 2072410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17250391
- Airframe hours: 3671
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tradewinds Aviation
- Registered owner: Manuel J. Campos
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 26, 1992, 79 hours before
- Departed: O41, WOODLAND, CA
- Destination: SJC, SAN JOSE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 81 total, 9 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19930627020589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930627020589A), Jun 27, 1993: Cessna 172D, Danville, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power collided with vehicle landing. Fuel tanks were empty.

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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