# NTSB MIA91LA226: Cessna 172C, N1669Y, Palm Beach, FL, September 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1991, 12:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Palm Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 26.690361, -80.030479 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6904&lon=-80.0305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32933
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32933/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA226

## Probable cause

TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO REFUEL BEFORE DEPARTURE.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN BECOMING LOST/DISORIENTED, AND OPERATION WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise - normal
  - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperative
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT BECAME DISORIENTED DURING A CROSS-COUNTRY FLT BUT DURING COURSE CORRECTION, THE ENG QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.  THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE FORCED LANDING.  THE PLT STATED THAT THE LT FUEL GAUGE WAS MALFUNCTIONING BEFORE THE FLT.  THE ACFT WAS OPERATED 3.8 HRS SINCE FUELING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1669Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1669Y-2012-08-10), registration cancelled 2012-08-10, S/N 17249369, built 1962 (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: 17249369
- Airframe hours: 4929
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300D2D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Kenneth Poteet Flying Serv Inc
- Registered owner: Kenneth Poteet Flying Serv Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 20, 1991, 59 hours before
- Departed: VNC, VENICE, FL
- Destination: SUA, STUART, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 70 total, 40 in this make and model, 15 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910928043579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910928043579A), Sep 28, 1991: Cessna 172C, West Palm Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on solo crosscountry. Landing in a marsh nose gear collapsed. Stated left fuel gauge malfunction.

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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