# NTSB NYC93LA078: Cessna 172, N8228G, Durham, NH, April 10, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1993, 03:12 local (08:12 UTC)
- Place: Durham, NH
- Location: 43.1428° N, 70.9250° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Durham, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1428&lon=-70.9250&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37306
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37306/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA078

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION AND LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, FAILURE TO OBTAIN INFLIGHT WEATHER INFORMATION, AND PILOT FATIGUE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, missed approach (ifr)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - in-flight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, missed approach (ifr)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE THE INSTRUMENT APPROACH TO HIS DESTINATION, BUT THE HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE RUNWAY AT LANDING MINIMUMS.  HE ELECTED TO PROCEED TO HIS ALTERNATE AIRPORT, WHERE HE MADE TWO MORE APPROACHES WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO LAND BECAUSE OF LOW WEATHER CONDITIONS.  HE THEN FLEW TO A THIRD AIRPORT, WHERE HE MADE THREE MORE UNSUCCESSFUL INSTRUMENT APPROACHES.  ON THE LAST MISSED APPROACH, THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TREES. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED NO FUEL IN THE TANKS.  THE WEATHER AT THE LAST AIRPORT WAS REPORTED AS CEILING 400 FEET, OBSCURED, VISIBILITY 1/4 OF A MILE WITH LIGHT DRIZZLE AND FOG.  THE ILS WAS FLIGHT CHECKED BY THE FAA AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND RATED SATISFACTORY.  THE PILOT SAID HE DID NOT REQUEST CURRENT WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING THE FLIGHT.  THE PILOT HAD FLOWN APPROXIMATELY 10 HOURS DURING THE 14 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8228G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8228G-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N 17273617, built 1979 (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: 17273617
- Airframe hours: 5130
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: J.C.R. Aviation
- Registered owner: Plane Partners
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 29, 1992
- Departed: BGM, BINGHAMTON, NY
- Destination: BVY, BEVERLY, MA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PSM, Pease Intl Tradeport, runway 34, 11,318 × 300 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 447 total, 134 in this make and model, 286 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 3 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSM, 3 nm away

## 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 19930410008879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930410008879A), Apr 10, 1993: Cessna 172N, Portsmouth, NH, Substantial damage. Struck trees on missed approach. Fuel tanks empty. Made numerous missed approachs. Failed have alternate and fuel.

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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