# NTSB SEA88LA144: Cessna 172K, N84445, Moses Lake, WA, August 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1988, 20:30 local (Aug 5, 1988, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Moses Lake, WA
- Coordinates: 47.189819, -119.299041 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1898&lon=-119.2990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 21, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40858
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40858/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA144

## 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 (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON HIS FIRST X-COUNTRY FLT IN THIS TYPE AIRCRAFT, THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND SHORT OF THE DESTINATION DUE TO LOW FUEL. THE ENGINE QUIT FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION DURING DESCENT. THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER ON TOUCHDOWN IN A SOFT IRRIGATED FIELD ONE MILE FROM THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84445](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84445-1989-05-18), registration cancelled 1989-05-18, S/N 17258473 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17258473
- Airframe hours: 4613
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2C 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dennis Proffit
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 28, 1988, 5 hours before
- Departed: S29, GARDINER, MT
- Destination: EAT, WENATCHEE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 291 total, 44 in this make and model, 228 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 125 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MWH, 6 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 19880804030219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880804030219A), Aug 4, 1988: Cessna 172K, Moses Lake, WA, Substantial damage. Noticed low fuel en route. Headed for nearest airport but ran out of fuel on approach. Nosed over landing soft field

## Other investigations on N84445 (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 SEA79FTI26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FTI26), Sep 27, 1979: Cessna 172K (N84445), Three Forks, MT, 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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