# NTSB MKC90LA011: Cessna 172Q, N96299, Hiwasse, AR, October 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1989, 01:15 local (06:15 UTC)
- Place: Hiwasse, AR
- Coordinates: 36.429191, -94.330848 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4292&lon=-94.3308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34897
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34897/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA011

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY PLAN THE FLIGHT AND INSURE THAT THERE WAS SUFFICIENT FUEL TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT. THE PILOT ALSO FAILED TO MONITOR THE FUEL LEVEL DURING THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DECLARED A 'MAYDAY' DUE TO A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER 15 MILES FROM HIS DESTINATION DURING THE NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON HILLY, WOODED TERRAIN AND THE AIRPLANE WAS DAMAGED. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THE FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY OF USABLE FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96299](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N96299), registered now, S/N 17276054 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172Q
- Registry model: [Cessna 172Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172q) (registry code 2072437) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17276054
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4N 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Disney, Merry L
- Departed: APA, DENVER, CO
- Destination: ROG, ROGERS, AR
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 103 total, 58 in this make and model, 43 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Observed at: FYV, 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 19891020043839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891020043839A), Oct 20, 1989: Cessna 172Q, Hiwasse, AR, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel 15 miles west of destination. Crashed in hilly wooded terrain.

## Other investigations on N96299 (2)

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 DEN99FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99FA077), May 13, 1999: Cessna 172Q (N96299), Greeley, CO, minor damage. Probable cause: Failure of both the pilot receiving instruction and the flight instructor to maintain a visual lookout. A factor was the failure of the other pilot to maintain a visual lookout.
- [NTSB DEN88LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA101), Apr 28, 1988: Cessna 172Q (N96299), Englewood, CO, 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.

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