# NTSB MIA95LA106: Cessna 172, N1520Y, Fort Lauderdale, FL, April 13, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1995, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Location: 26.1223° N, 80.1434° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Lauderdale, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1223&lon=-80.1434&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37751
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37751/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA106

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO ASSURE THAT ADEQUATE FUEL WAS ON-BOARD THE AIRPLANE TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, FORCED LANDING AND THE COLLISION WITH A TREE ON TOUCHDOWN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE DID NOT ASSURE THAT HE HAD ADEQUATE FUEL FOR THE INTENDED FLIGHT AND THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A TREE ON TOUCHDOWN.

## Factual narrative

On April 13, 1995, about 1445 eastern daylight time, N1520Y, a Cessna 172 crashed in a parking lot 3 miles east of Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The airplane was registered to Thomas Scott and was operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. The flight had originated from Marsh Harbor, Bahamas, about 1300 the same day.

The pilot stated that he encountered headwinds on the flight and the engine failed on final approach, due to fuel exhaustion. The wreckage of the airplane came to rest in a partially vacant parking lot. FAA personnel examined the airplane and the accident scene and reported no fuel in the fuel system and no fuel on the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1520Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1520Y), registered now, S/N 17249220, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- 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: 49220
- Airframe hours: 1300
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hubbard, Kenneth M.
- Registered owner: Scott, Thomas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MYAM, MARSH HARBOR, OF
- Destination: KFXE, FT LAUDERDALE, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 243 total, 39 in this make and model, 126 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FXE, 2 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 19950413007949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950413007949A), Apr 13, 1995: Cessna 172C, Ft Lauderdale, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power on final. Crash landed in a parking lot. Fuel tanks empty. Pilot blamed headwinds en route from Bahamas.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.