# NTSB SEA87LA066: Cessna 172, N64728, Lopez Island, WA, March 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 19, 1987, 08:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Lopez Island, WA
- Coordinates: 48.490322, -122.869491 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4903&lon=-122.8695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40599
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40599/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA066

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Hard landing, landing
  - object - animal(s) (cause)
  - pull-up - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE THE ACFT ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT NEGLECTED TO VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL TANKS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, BUT RATHER RELIED ON FUEL GAUGES AND HIS OWN ESTIMATION THAT ENOUGH FUEL WOULD BE REMAINING TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT. DURING FORCED LANDING ONTO A FIELD A COW CROSSED THE LANDING AREA. THE PILOT RAISED THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT IN ORDER TO AVOID STRIKING THE COW. THE ACFT THEN HIT THE GROUND NOSE FIRST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64728](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N64728), registered now, S/N 17275612, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275612
- Airframe hours: 2837
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Peter Cleland
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 14, 1987, 44 hours before
- Departed: 76S, OAK HARBOR, WA
- Destination: S19, FRIDAY HARBOR, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,099 total, 492 in this make and model, 5,780 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19870319006499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870319006499A), Mar 19, 1987: Cessna STC172, Lopez Island, WA, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion. The aircraft landed hard as the pilot maneuvered to avoid cows.

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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