# NTSB NYC83LA161: Cessna 172P, N62511, Redding, CT, July 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1983, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Redding, CT
- Location: 41.3026° N, 73.3835° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Redding, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3026&lon=-73.3835&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35217
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35217/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA161

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT RAMAPO, NY. DURING A PREFLIGHT CHECK, THE PLT NOTED THAT THE FUEL GAUGES INDICATED FULL. WHEN HE VISUALLY CHECKED THE FUEL TANKS, HE ESTIMATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL IN EACH TANK WAS ABOUT 1 INCH FROM BEING FULL. THE FUEL CAPACITY OF THIS ACFT WAS 54 GAL, OF WHICH, 4 GAL WAS UNUSABLE. THE PLT ESTIMATED THAT HE HAD ENOUGH FUEL FOR THE PLANNED 3 HR FLT. APRX 30 MIN AFTER DEPARTING RAMAPO, HE MADE A PASSENGER STOP AT STORMVILLE, NY. AFTER ANOTHER 1 HR OF FLT, HE LANDED AT BLOCK ISLAND, RI. BEFORE DEPARTING BLOCK ISLAND, HE MADE A PREFLIGHT CHECK & NOTED THAT THE FUEL GAUGES INDICATED SLIGHTLY OVER 1/2 FULL. HOWEVER, HE DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL TANKS BEFORE STARTING THE 1.3 HR RETURN FLT. WHILE EN ROUTE TO SPRING VALLEY, NY, THE ENG LOST POWER AFTER AN ADDITIONAL1 HR OF FLT. DURING A FORCED LANDING, THE ACFT STRUCK BRUSH & SAPLINGS. AFTER THE ORIGINAL DEPARTURE FROM RAMAPO, THE HOBBS METER SHOWED 2.5 HRS ELAPSED TIME. REPORTEDLY, NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE TANKS AFTER THE MISHAP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62511](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N62511), registered now, S/N 17275289, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275289
- Airframe hours: 600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tag Aviation
- Registered owner: R & L Aircraft Leasing Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1982, 11 hours before
- Departed: BID, BLOCK ISLAND, RI
- Destination: N24, SPRING VALLEY, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 22,010 total, 122 in this make and model, 21,550 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830701028149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830701028149A), Jul 1, 1983: Cessna 172P, Redding, CT, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Pilot claims enough fuel for trip. No cause given for higher than usual fuel consumption

## Other investigations on N62511 (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 FTW96LA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA300), Jul 4, 1996: Cessna 172P (N62511), Owasso, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: Inadequate maintenance by maintenance personnel resulting in inoperative brake system during an aborted takeoff. A factor was the downhill runway condition.

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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