# NTSB NYC91LA169: Cessna 172, N21662, Millville, OH, July 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1991, 22:45 local (Jul 5, 1991, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Millville, OH
- Coordinates: 41.330696, -83.290252 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3307&lon=-83.2903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36955
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36955/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA169

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION AFTER BECOMING LOST, RESULTING IN ENGINE FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA, AND HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF OPERATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - emergency
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - radar assistance to vfr aircraft - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel system - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PILOT PLANNED FOR 4.6 HOURS EN ROUTE FOR THE FLIGHT FROM MANHATTAN, KANSAS TO HARRISON, OHIO.  AT THE ESTIMATED ARRIVAL TIME, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT.  HE CIRCLED FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES TRYING TO FIND THE AIRPORT.  HE DID NOT ASK FOR HELP FROM THE AVAILABLE RADAR SERVICES IN THE AREA.  ENGINE FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ONTO A PARKING LOT, STRIKING A FENCE.  THE PILOT SAID, 'AT THE FIRST SIGN OF DISORIENTATION I SHOULD HAVE CONTACTED CINCINNATI RADAR CONTROL FOR VECTORS.'  THE PILOT'S FLIGHT EXPERIENCE WAS PRIMARILY IN HELICOPTERS.  HE HAD A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 12 HOURS IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21662](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21662-1998-03-26), registration cancelled 1998-03-26, S/N 17263984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17263984
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Go Leasing Company
- Registered owner: Go Leasing Company
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: MHR, MANHATTAN, KS
- Destination: I67, HARRISON, OH
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 790 total, 12 in this make and model, 87 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 290° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken

## 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 19910704025799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910704025799A), Jul 4, 1991: Cessna 172M, Millville, OH, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel near destination. Landing in a parking lot struck fence.

## Other investigations on N21662 (2)

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 CHI96LA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA103), Mar 5, 1996: Cessna 172 (N21662), Valparaiso, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's continued flight into adverse weather. Factors were the low ceilings, icing conditions, airframe ice, and the muddy field.
- [NTSB MKC83LA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA223), Sep 27, 1983: Cessna 172 (N21662), Kansas City, MO, substantial damage

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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