# NTSB NYC83LA232: Cessna 120, N77321, Punxsutawney, PA, September 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1983, 15:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Punxsutawney, PA
- Coordinates: 40.940891, -78.970527 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9409&lon=-78.9705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35268
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35268/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA232

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT WHEN HE ENTERED THE AIRCRAFT HE FOUND THAT THE MASTER SWITCH HAD BEEN LEFT ON AND THE BATTERY WASDOWN. HE FLEW AROUND THE AIRPORT FOR ABOUT 45 MIN, TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY PRIOR TO DEPARTING FOR HIS DESTINATION. HE ARRIVED AT HIS DESTINATION BUT WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE AIRPORT AFTER SEARCHING FOR ABOUT 30 MIN. THE PILOT WAS GIVEN A D/F STEER TO THE AIRPORT AND BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE FUEL EXHAUSTION. HE SWITCHED TO THE OTHER TANK WHICH SHOWED 1/8 FULL AND CONTINUED TOWARD DESTINATION. THE FLIGHT EXPERIENCED FUEL EXHAUSTION AND LANDED IN A CORN FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77321](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77321-2023-07-18), registration cancelled 2023-07-18, S/N 11763, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11763
- Airframe hours: 1256
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Maurice Leo Connor
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 26, 1983, 4 hours before
- Departed: BURLINGTON, NJ
- Destination: PUNXSUTAWNEY, NJ
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 418 total, 64 in this make and model, 344 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19830904046309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830904046309A), Sep 4, 1983: Cessna 120, Panxsutawney, PA, Substantial damage. During attempt to locate airport fuel exhaustion resulted in crash during emeregency landing.

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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