# NTSB MIA96LA199: Cessna 172N, N737DK, Victoria, MS, August 1, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 1996, 13:08 local (18:08 UTC) - Place: Victoria, MS - Location: 34.8390° N, 89.6154° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Victoria, MS, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8390&lon=-89.6154&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38063 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA199 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38063/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA199 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper fuel management 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(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion - fuel management - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated he was in cruise flight at 4,000 feet in radio contact with Memphis Tower, when the engine quit. He informed Memphis Tower that he had run out of gas. He made a forced landing to an open field. The airplane collided with trees on final approach, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The left and right fuel tanks were not ruptured. About 1 1/2 gallons of fuel was present in the right fuel tank, and about 3 quarts of fuel was present in the left fuel tank. ## Factual narrative On August 1, 1996, about 1308 central daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N737DK, registered to Dayton Aviation Inc., leased by Air Venture Flying Club, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a loss of engine power in cruise flight in the vicinity of Victoria, Mississippi, and crashed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual rules flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Columbia, Mississippi, 2 hours 26 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he initially departed New Orleans, Louisiana, en route for Olive Branch, Mississippi, and diverted into Columbia, Mississippi due to weather. He obtained a weather briefing and departed for his destination airport. He was in cruise flight at 4,000 feet, in contact with Memphis tower, when the engine quit. He informed Memphis tower that he had run out of gas. He made a forced landing to an open field. The airplane collided with trees on the final approach, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, and engine assembly revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. The left and right fuel tanks were not ruptured. About 1 1/2 gallons of fuel was drained from the right fuel tank, and about 3 quarts of fuel was drained from the left fuel tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N737DK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N737DK-1998-09-28), registration cancelled 1998-09-28, S/N 17269336 (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: 17269336 - Airframe hours: 3221 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Air Venture Flying Club - Registered owner: Allen Leasing Company - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 22, 1996, 24 hours before - Departed: ORO, COLUMBIA, MS - Destination: OLV, OLIVE BRANCH, MS - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 963 total, 400 in this make and model, 963 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 7 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MEM, 20 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 19960801020539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960801020539A), Aug 1, 1996: Cessna 172N, Victoria, MS, Substantial damage. Reported out of fuel en route. Struck trees landing. Nosed over. Had diverted from flight plan due to weather. 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.