# NTSB SEA86LA005: Cessna 172, N7798X, Medford, OR, October 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1985, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Medford, OR
- Coordinates: 42.280765, -122.89904 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2808&lon=-122.8990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40317
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40317/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA005

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH ROCKY TERRAIN DURING AN ATTEMPTED FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR. A WITNESS REPORTED SEEING THE ACFT IN A STEEP DESCENDING LEFT TURN AT AN ALT OF APRX 100 FT AGL. THE DESCENT CONTINUED UNTIL THE LEFT WING CONTACTED THE TERRAIN. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED 1.5 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK. THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS FOUND EMPTY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7798X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7798X-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 17248298, built 1961 (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
- Serial number: 17248298
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Don L. Hirschy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 6, 1985, 8 hours before
- Departed: 4S1, GOLD BEACH, OR
- Destination: MFR, MEDFORD, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 3 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 14,000 ft broken
- Observed at: MFR, 7 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 19851006049149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851006049149A), Oct 6, 1985: Cessna 172B, Medford, OR, Destroyed. Engine quit while making a low pass due to fuel exhaustion. Left wing struck ground in turn. No auto fuel STC.

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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