# NTSB NYC08LA199: Cessna 172H, N3910R, Brockport, NY, June 1, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 1, 2008, 12:03 local (16:03 UTC) - Place: Brockport, NY - Coordinates: 43.18111, -77.915557 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1811&lon=-77.9156&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO, Cessna Aircraft Company - NTSB case key (mKey): 68136 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08LA199 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68136/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA199 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the flight instructor's inadequate preflight planning. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot performed a preflight inspection on the airplane prior to the instructional flight and observed 6 gallons of fuel in each fuel tank. The flight instructor and student then departed and flew to another airport to practice touch-and-go landings. After flying for approximately 1 hour during the return flight, the engine started to "shake" and then lost power. The flight instructor performed a forced landing to a field, during which the airplane impacted trees. Examination of the airplane revealed approximately 1 gallon of fuel in the right tank and 1 quart of fuel in the left tank. The fuel tanks were not compromised and there was no indication of a fuel leak in the fuel system. No fuel was observed in the fuel line from the fuel tank to the fuel strainer. Prior to the accident flight, the airplane was flown by another pilot for 1.7 hours. The pilot who flew the previous flight departed with 18 gallons of fuel. Fuel consumption calculations performed by a representative of the manufacturer revealed that the accident flight would have consumed 8.4 gallons of fuel. The previous flight (1.7 hours in duration) would have consumed 11.5 gallons. The flight instructor did not verify the fuel quantity prior to departure, did not perform any preflight or en route fuel consumption calculations, and did not refuel the airplane at either airport. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 1, 2008, at 1203 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172H, N3910R, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Brockport, New York. The certificated flight instructor and student pilot were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the student pilot, he performed a preflight inspection prior to takeoff and observed 6 gallons in each of the two fuel tanks. After departure, the pilots flew to Genesee County Airport (GVQ), Batavia, New York, where they practiced touch-and-go landings. During the return flight to Ledgedale Airpark (7G0), Brockport, New York, the engine started to "shake" and then "lost power," when the airplane was at an altitude of 1,600 feet. The flight instructor performed a forced landing to a field, during which the airplane impacted trees, and came to rest 150 feet from the tree line. The flight instructor had no memory of the accident; however, he did remember checking the fuel gauges in flight and noting they read 1/4 tank (5 gallons) each side. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The certificated flight instructor held ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. He also held an airline transport pilot certificate and commercial pilot certificate. His most recent FAA first-class medical certificate was issued on March 19, 2008. At that time he reported 17,320 hours of total flight experience. Examination of the pilot's logbook revealed it was labeled "single engine time," and contained entries from March 29, 2008 to May 30, 2008. During that time period, the pilot logged 48 hours of flight time, all of which was accumulated in make and model of the accident airplane. The student pilot held an FAA second-class medical certificate, issued on April 1, 2008. At that time, he reported 14 hours of total flight experience. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The aircraft was owned by the flight instructor and powered by a Continental O-300 engine. According to the airplane and engine logbooks, the most recent annual inspection was completed on July 10, 2007, with no anomalies noted. The tach time at the annual inspection was 7,300 hours and the tach time at the accident was 7,557 hours. The aircraft had a fuel capacity of 38 gallons of useable fuel, and 1 gallon of unusable fuel. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The weather reported at Rochester International Airport (ROC), Rochester, New York, about 11 miles to the east, at 1154, included wind from 280 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 19 knots, 10 miles visibility, a broken cloud layer at 3,800 feet, an overcast cloud layer at 4,600 feet, temperature 17 degrees Celsius (C), dew point 8 degrees C, and altimeter setting 29.79 inches mercury. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Examination of the airplane by a representative of the airplane manufacturer and the FAA inspector revealed approximately 1 gallon of fuel was observed in the right tank and 1 quart of fuel was observed in the left tank. The fuel tanks were not compromised and there was no indication of a fuel leak in the fuel system. No fuel was observed in the fuel line from the fuel tank to the fuel strainer. The fuel selector was set to the 'both' position. The throttle knob was full forward, the carburetor heat was in the off position, and the mixture was in the 'rich' position. The flaps were in the retracted position. The engine crankshaft was rotated at the propeller flange and valve train continuity and compression were obtained on all cylinders. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION According to the pilot who flew the airplane prior to the accident flight, he departed for his flight with 18 gallons of fuel, and flew for 1.7 hours. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane during his flight. The airplane was not refueled prior to the accident flight, which was 1.1 hours in duration, according to the aircraft flight log. Fuel consumption calculations performed by a representative of the manufacturer revealed the accident flight would have consumed 8.4 gallons of fuel. The previous flight (1.7 hours in duration) would have consumed 11.5 gallons. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3910R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3910R-2018-01-18), registration cancelled 2018-01-18, S/N 17255410, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H - Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17255410 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300 SER 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Merritt Aire LLC - Registered owner: Merritt Aire LLC - Departed: GVQ, Batavia, NY - Destination: 7G0, Brockport, NY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 47; injuries: serious; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 17,320 total - Student pilot; age 26; injuries: serious; student; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 14 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC) - Wind: 280° at 13 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ROC ## 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 20080601857559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080601857559A), Jun 1, 2008: Cessna 172H, Sweeden, NY, Substantial damage. During a 14CFR part 91 training flight, a/c crashed 1 mile west of 7G0 due to probable fuel starvation. Both pilots onboard were seriously injured and the… 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.