# NTSB LAX97LA302: Cessna 172N, N733QD, Kenwood, CA, August 25, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1997, 18:37 local (Aug 25, 1997, 01:37 UTC)
- Place: Kenwood, CA
- Coordinates: 38.419288, -122.540557 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4193&lon=-122.5406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 31, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29884
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA302
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29884/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA302

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing, due to an inadequate supply of fuel.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing

## Analysis

The pilot and passengers departed on a 2-day cross-country flight. There was 29.4 gallons of fuel purchased en route going and 15.0 gallons returning. About 15 miles from the final destination, a force landing was made. According to sheriff's personnel, the aircraft ran out of fuel.

## Factual narrative

On August 24, 1997, about 1837 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N733QD, operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Kenwood, California.  The pilot and three passengers received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed.

The flight originated August 23, 1997, as a personal cross-country flight from Santa Rosa, California, to Fallbrook, California, with a fuel stop at San Luis Obispo, California.  The pilot was flying the same route of flight back to Santa Rosa the next day.  According to sheriff's personnel, the aircraft ran out of fuel.

According to information obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards District Office at Oakland, the pilot purchased 29.4 gallons of fuel en route to the destination and 15.0 gallons returning.

The pilot failed to respond to a Safety Board request to file a form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Accident Report.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N733QD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N733QD-1998-07-09), registration cancelled 1998-07-09, S/N 17268458 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268458
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Virginia K. Moncada
- Registered owner: Hayssen, Arthur H.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SBP, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA
- Destination: STS, SANTA ROSA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 23 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KST, 15 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 19970825023499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970825023499A), Aug 25, 1997: Cessna 172N, Kenwood, CA, No damage, 4 fatal. Aircraft ran out of fuel, landed, struck a tree, flipped 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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