# NTSB MIA98LA036: Cessna 172G, N3908L, Hazel Green, AL, November 28, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 28, 1997, 15:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Hazel Green, AL - Coordinates: 34.9197, -86.559341 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9197&lon=-86.5593&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 24, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38436 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA036 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38436/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA036 ## Probable cause the pilot's miscalculating the aircraft's fuel consumption for the flight, resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated he remembered nothing about the day of or the flight that resulted in the accident. The aircraft was observed in flight with the propeller stopped just before impact with trees. All components of the airframe and engine were postcrash tested negatively for malfunction or failure. Fuel was tested negatively for water content. The fuel tanks were not ruptured, and there was no odor of fuel at the crash site. Evidence in the aircraft and statements by the pilot's friends indicate the pilot planned to change the aircraft's fuel selector valve after landing. The aircraft type-certificate data sheets state that of the 39 gallons that can be onloaded, 3 gallons must be considered unusable. Something less than 2 gallons was actually removed from the total fuel system. ## Factual narrative On November 28, 1997, about 1520 central standard time, a Cessna 172G, N3908L, registered to a private individual, operating as a 14 CFR 91 personal flight, crashed in a wooded area in the vicinity of Stephens Airfield, a private grass airstrip near Hazel Green, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage, and the private-rated pilot received serious injuries. The flight originated from that field 1 hour before the accident. An eyewitness to the accident reported that the propeller was stopped just before aircraft impact with trees to the north of the airport. The aircraft came to rest 300 to 400 feet short of runway 18, outside airport boundary. The pilot states that he has no recollection of the events that led up to the accident. Before he bought the aircraft on September 8, 1997, he had the seller correct a leaking fuel selector valve. The replacement valve was subsequently found to allow some tank-to-tank fuel migration, so reportedly, the plan was to overhaul the removed fuel valve for reinstallation. The recently reworked valve, in a plastic bag, some fuel component lubricant, hand tools, access panels, various fasteners and a spiral notebook with times and fuel calculations were found in the aircraft at the accident site. Reportedly, arrangements had been made with an A & P mechanic to effect the fuel valve change after landing. Wreckage examination by the FAA and manufacturer's representatives revealed no evidence of precrash mechanical failure or malfunction of the airframe, flight controls, engine/accessories, or their components. Propeller damage was limited to one blade, bent aft 90 degrees, parallel to the fuselage longitudinal axis, and neither blade nor spinner showed rotational type damage. The two fuel tanks appeared not compromised by crash impact, and were empty. The FAA and police authorities reported no odor of fuel at the crash site. The wreckage was positioned upright and level and the fuel system was tested negatively for water and completely drained through the fuel strainer drain. The amount drained, according to the FAA report was, "less than two gallons". Type certificate data states that Cessna 172G weight calculations must consider 18 pounds ( 3 gallons) as unusable fuel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3908L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3908L-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 17254077, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172G - Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17254077 - Airframe hours: 3169 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Phillip H. Hendrix - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 29, 1997, 32 hours before - Airport: Stephens Airfield, runway 18, 2,200 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## 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: 345 total, 330 in this make and model, 285 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HSV, 24 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 19971128035849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971128035849A), Nov 28, 1997: Cessna 172G, Hazel Green, AL, Substantial damage. On November 28, 1997, about 1520 central standard time, a Cessna 172G, N3908L, registered to a private individual, operating a a 14 CFR 91 personal flight,… ## Other investigations on N3908L (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW78DQD16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78DQD16), Apr 6, 1978: Cessna 172G (N3908L), Imperial, TX, substantial damage 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.