# NTSB SEA86LA221: Cessna 172A, N7405T, San Juan Island, WA, August 25, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1986, 18:30 local (Aug 25, 1986, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: San Juan Island, WA
- Coordinates: 48.529598, -123.059127 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5296&lon=-123.0591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40483
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40483/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA221

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FLYING THE AIRCRAFT AT A LOW ALTITUDE IN ORDER TO SPOT FISH. HE RAN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK DRY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO QUIT. HE WAS UNABLE TO SWITCH FUEL TANKS AND ATTEMPT A RESTART DUE TO HIS LOW ALTITUDE. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE CLOSE TO THE SHORELINE WHERE TREES WERE STRUCK DURING FORCED LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7405T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7405T-1989-01-30), registration cancelled 1989-01-30, S/N 47005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172A
- Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 47005
- Airframe hours: 10000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles Chevalier
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: S19, FRIDAY HARBOR, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,562 total, 500 in this make and model, 2,525 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19860824081399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860824081399A), Aug 24, 1986: Cessna 172A, San Juan Island, WA, Destroyed. The aircraft impacted trees after the engine failed from fuel starvation. Pilot was too low to switch fuel tanks.

## Other investigations on N7405T (1)

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 UNK64X0968](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0968), Mar 18, 1964: Cessna 172 (N7405T), Turlock, CA, 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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