# NTSB NYC88LA094: Cessna 172, N738MX, North Hanover, NJ, February 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 26, 1988, 17:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: North Hanover, NJ
- Location: 40.0797° N, 74.5870° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Township of North Hanover, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0797&lon=-74.5870&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36106
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36106/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA094

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENG LOST POWER WHILE THE ACFT WAS CIRCLING AT APRX 1500 FT AGL & THE OCCUPANTS WERE ENGAGED IN AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A SWAMPY AREA. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE LEFT TANK WAS EMPTY. THE RIGHT TANK HAD AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF FUEL WHICH APPEARED TO BE MORE THAN USABLE FUEL; HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT WAS RESTING ON THE GROUND, RIGHT WING LOW. THE PILOT OPERATING HANDBOOK CONTAINED A NOTE ABOUT FLYING WITH THE SELECTOR ON BOTH. IT STATED 'UNEQUAL FUEL FLOW FROM EACH TANK MAY OCCUR IF THE WINGS ARE NOT MAINTAINED EXACTLY LEVEL. RESULTING WING HEAVINESS CAN BE ALLEVIATED GRADUALLY BY TURNING THE SELECTOR VALVE HANDLE TO THE TANK IN THE 'HEAVY' WING.'  THE ACFT HAD BEEN 'TOPPED' WITH FUEL PRIOR TO THE FLT & HAD FLOWN 3.5 HRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738MX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738MX-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 17270094, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270094
- Airframe hours: 2550
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mistral Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Mistrial Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 29, 1988, 42 hours before
- Departed: LDJ, LINDEN, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,650 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 19880226003829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880226003829A), Feb 26, 1988: Cessna 172H, North Hanover, NJ, Substantial damage. Engine quit on low level photo flight. Crashed in swamp. Left tank empty. May have unported fuel while circling.

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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