# NTSB MIA91FA029: Cessna 172M, N80509, Homestead, FL, November 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 20, 1990, 10:14 local (15:14 UTC)
- Place: Homestead, FL
- Location: 25.4659° N, 80.4460° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Homestead, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.4659&lon=-80.4460&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32738
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91FA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32738/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91FA029

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO INSURE ADEQUATE FUEL WAS PRESENT IN THE AIRCRAFT FOR THE FLIGHT RESULTING IN 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

ACFT LAST FUELED ON 11-18-90 AT HOBBS TIME 1377.0. AFTER ACCIDENT HOBBS READ 1382.0. ONE GALLON OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN UNDAMAGED RIGHT FUEL TANK. LEFT FUEL TANK HAD RUPTURED HOWEVER NO EVIDENCE OF A LARGE FUEL SPILL WAS PRESENT. FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND ON BOTH. ACFT PROPELLER HAD NO SIGNIFICANT ROTATIONAL DAMAGE. CESSNA ACFT PERFORMANCE RECORDS INDICATE FIVE HOURS FLOWN IS AT MAXIMUM ENDURANCE FOR ACFT. PLT WAS ALSO FOUND TO NOT BE WEARING SEAT BELT AT IMPACT. PLT ALSO HAD RESTRICTION ON PLT LICENSE THAT DID NOT ALLOW OPERATIONS AT AIRPORTS WERE HE WAS REQUIRED TO SPEAK ENGLISH ON THE RADIO. THE DEPT. ARPT WAS UNCONTROLLED ON DEPARTURE HOWEVER FAA TOWER OPENED 10 MIN. AFTER DEPARTURE WHICH WOULD REQUIRE PLT USE OF ENGLISH ON RETURN TO ARPT. PLT ALSO HAD NOT HAD BIENNIAL FLT REVIEW SINCE 1987.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80509](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80509-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 17266628, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17266628
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Yhm Florida, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: OPF, OPA LOCKA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 308 total, 10 in this make and model, 58 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TMB, 18 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 19901120051489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901120051489A), Nov 20, 1990: Cessna 172M, Homestead, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck trees on a island. Fuel tanks empty. Some fuel on ground. Flown five hours since fueling.

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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