# NTSB LAX95LA295: Cessna 172F, N5563R, Bradley, CA, August 15, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1995
- Place: Bradley, CA
- Coordinates: 34.639923, -120.019577 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6399&lon=-120.0196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29188
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA295
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29188/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA295

## Probable cause

fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to refuel prior to takeoff and his delayed decision to proceed to his alternate airport.  The night light conditions and the lack of a suitable emergency landing area were factors.

## 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
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, emergency landing
  - light condition - bright night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS DIVERTING DUE TO WEATHER TO AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT WHEN HE RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE PILOT WAS RETURNING FROM A PERSONAL CROSS-COUNTRY NIGHT FLIGHT. HE STATED THAT HE DID NOT REFUEL BECAUSE HE CALCULATED THAT HE HAD ENOUGH FUEL FOR THE RETURN FLIGHT. UPON REACHING HIS FINAL DESTINATION HE FOUND THE AIRPORT WAS FOGGED IN. HE SPENT ABOUT 1/2 HOUR IN THE GENERAL AREA ANALYZING THE SITUATION AND CHECKING ANOTHER PRIVATE AIRSTRIP BEFORE DIVERTING TO ANOTHER AIRPORT KNOWN TO BE VFR. HOWEVER, BEFORE REACHING THE ALTERNATE AIRPORT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND DURING THE FORCED LANDING IN A SOFT, PLOWED FIELD, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On August 15, 1995, about 2400 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172F, N5563R, was substantially damaged during an emergency landing near Bradley, California.  Neither the pilot nor his passenger were injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the departure from Porterville, California.  However, instrument meteorological conditions existed at the destination, King City, California.  No flight plan was filed.

The pilot stated that he was diverting due to weather to an alternate airport when he ran out of fuel.  The pilot was returning from a personal cross-country night flight.  He stated that he did not refuel because he calculated that he had enough fuel for the return flight.  Upon reaching his destination he found the airport was fogged in.  He spent about 1/2 hour in the general area analyzing the situation and checking another private airstrip before diverting to another airport known to be vfr.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5563R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5563R-1997-07-17), registration cancelled 1997-07-17, S/N 17253154 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172F
- Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17253154
- Airframe hours: 4263
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Silva, Burton L.
- Registered owner: Burton L. Silva
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 1995, 10 hours before
- Departed: PTV, PORTERVILLE, CA
- Destination: KIC, KING CITY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 348 total, 348 in this make and model, 323 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 260° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRB, 16 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 19950815024109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950815024109A), Aug 15, 1995: Cessna 172F, Bradley, CA, Substantial damage. Returned from night flight low fuel. Airport fogged in. Circled half hour to make VFR airport. Out fuel. Nosed over

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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