# NTSB NYC89LA011: Cessna 172, N9108B, Lancaster, PA, October 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1988, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Lancaster, PA
- Coordinates: 40.070217, -76.309341 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0702&lon=-76.3093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36322
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36322/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA011

## 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)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE CESSNA 172 WAS RETURNING SOLO FROM ATLANTIC CITY WHEN THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL. HE LANDED IN A CORN FIELD AND THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO FUEL IN THE AIRCRAFT. THE PLT SAID HE FUELED THE ACFT WITH 20 GALS OF FUEL BEFORE HIS FLT FROM HARRISBURG, PA TO ATLANTIC CITY. NO REFUELING WAS PERFORMED AT ATLANTIC CITY FOR THE RETURN FLT TO HANOVER, PA. THE FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED AS A PERSONAL FLIGHT, NOT IN CONNECTION WITH FLIGHT TRAINING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9108B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9108B-2013-07-15), registration cancelled 2013-07-15, S/N 36608, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36608
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert A. Reed
- Registered owner: Robert Alan Reed
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 20, 1988
- Departed: ATLANTIC CITY, NJ
- Destination: HANOVER, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 65 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19881011046199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881011046199A), Oct 11, 1988: Cessna 172, Lancaster, PA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel. Overturned landing in a cornfield. Smell of alcohol and beer cans in wreck.

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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