# NTSB NYC93LA029: Cessna 195B, N4384N, Great Barrington, MA, October 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1992, 12:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Great Barrington, MA
- Coordinates: 42.192038, -73.363029 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1920&lon=-73.3630&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37265
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37265/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA029

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE PRE-FLIGHT BY THE PILOT ENSURING FUEL CAP SECURITY. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOTS COMPLACENCY IN FUEL MANAGEMENT.

## 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)
  - fuel system,cap - leak
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - ground
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED WITH FUEL FOR 6 HOURS OF FLYING.  DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE PASSENGER DISCUSSED A POSSIBLE LOW FUEL CONDITION WITH THE PILOT, DUE TO THE FUEL QUANTITY GAUGE INDICATING ONLY ONE QUARTER FULL. THE POSSIBILITY OF LOW FUEL WAS REJECTED BY THE PILOT.  FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED 2 HOURS AND 50 MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT.  DURING THE FORCED LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE AND IMPACTED THE GROUND.  POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BY AN FAA INSPECTOR REVEALED WET FUEL STAINS ALONG THE RIGHT WING AND FUSELAGE OF THE AIRPLANE.   FUEL SIPHONING, FROM THE RIGHT WING CAP, HAD OCCURRED ON PREVIOUS FLIGHTS, AS RECALLED BY THE PILOT AND PASSENGER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4384N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4384N-1993-04-14), registration cancelled 1993-04-14, S/N 7021 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 195B
- Registry model: [Cessna 195](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-195) (registry code 2073102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7021
- Airframe hours: 4684
- Engines: JACOBS R755B2 275 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: George W Gardner
- Registered owner: George W Gardner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1992, 114 hours before
- Departed: HUL, HOULTON, ME
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19921022043239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921022043239A), Oct 22, 1992: Cessna 195, Barrington, MA, Destroyed. Engine quit en route. Crash landed. No fuel onboard. Fuel stains from right fuel cap. Cap found secure no leaks.

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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