# NTSB SEA78DYP53: Cessna 172, N7409X, Ephrata, WA, September 2, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 2, 1978
- Place: Ephrata, WA · EPHRATA, WA
- Location: 47.3121° N, 119.5344° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ephrata, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3121&lon=-119.5344&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139761
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA78DYP53
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78DYP53

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2912   78/9/2    EPHRATA,WA          CESSNA 172          CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             PRIVATE, AGE 25, 216
        TIME - 1830                    N7409X              PX-  0  0  0  TOWING GLIDERS            TOTAL HOURS, 190 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - EPHRATA MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          EPHRATA,WA                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           GEAR COLLAPSED                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- PLT STATED FUEL TANKS 1/4 FULL PRIOR TKOF.MANUAL STATES TKOF NOT REC WITH 1/4 TANK OR LESS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7409X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7409X-2003-05-28), registration cancelled 2003-05-28, S/N 17247909, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Ephrata Muni

## 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 19780902030849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780902030849A), Sep 2, 1978: Cessna 172D, Ephrata, WA, Substantial damage. Plt stated fuel tanks 1/4 full prior tkof. Manual states tkof not with 1/4 tank or less.

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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