# NTSB MIA07CA002: Cessna 172C, N1425Y, Jay, FL, October 7, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 7, 2006, 09:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: Jay, FL
- Coordinates: 30.9269444444444, -87.1527777777778
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9269&lon=-87.1528&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64685
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA07CA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64685/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07CA002

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

## Sequence of events

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

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

## Analysis

The pilot stated that the engine stopped and he elected to land in a cotton field. As the airplane flew under electrical power lines during the approach to the field, it impacted bushes and a fence before coming to a stop. Both wings and windshield were damaged due to the impact. The mechanic that was instructed by the FAA representative to examine the airplane at the accident site stated that the fuel selector valve was found half way between the "both" and "right" fuel tank. The left fuel tank was empty when inspected. About one gallon of clean fuel was drained from the right fuel tank. No presence of fuel was found in the carburetor when inspected. There were no indications of a fuel leak, breach of fuel tanks, nor discrepancies with the fuel system.

## Factual narrative

On October 7, 2006, about 0920 central daylight time, a Cessna 172C, N1425Y, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, impacted a fence during a forced landing near Jay, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot received minor injuries and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from the Brewton Municipal Airport, Brewton, Alabama earlier that day, about 0840.

The pilot stated the engine stopped and he elected to land in a cotton field. As the airplane flew under electrical power lines during the approach to the field, it impacted bushes and a fence before coming to a stop. Both wings and windshield were damaged due to the impact.

The mechanic that was instructed by the FAA representative to examine the airplane at the accident site stated that the fuel selector valve was found half way between the "both" and "right" fuel tank. The left fuel tank was empty when inspected. About one gallon of clean fuel was drained from the right fuel tank. No presence of fuel was found in the carburetor when inspected. There were no indications of a fuel leak, breach of fuel tanks, nor discrepancies with the fuel system.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1425Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1425Y-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N 17249125, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172C
- Registry model: [Cessna 172C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172c) (registry code 2072408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17249125
- Engines: Continental O-300-D reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 12J, Brewton, AL
- Airport: 12J, Brewton

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 430 total, 430 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 162 °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 20061007021779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061007021779A), Oct 7, 2006: Cessna 172C, Jay, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft departed brewton (12J), al for a local flight to last about 30 minutes. The pilot stated he checked the fuel gauges on preflight and they both…

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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