# NTSB SEA91LA257: Cessna 172E, N5680T, Burns, OR, September 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1991, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Burns, OR
- Coordinates: 43.590591, -118.890441 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5906&lon=-118.8904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41553
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA257
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41553/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA257

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DELAY IN COMPUTING AIRCRAFT FUEL CONSUMPTION AND HIS FAILURE TO LAND AT AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE TREE BY THE LANDING AREA AND THE IMPROPER MAINTENANCE ADJUSTMENT OF THE RIGHT MAGNETO.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT INITIATED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A GRAVEL ROAD WHEN THE ACFT RAN LOW ON FUEL BEFORE REACHING THE DEST ON A VFR X-COUNTRY FLT. THE ACFT IMPACTED A TREE BESIDE THE ROAD DURING LANDING GROUND ROLL. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED 3 GAL FUEL REMAINING AND IMPROPER TIMING OF THE RT MAG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5680T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5680T-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N 17251580 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E
- Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17251580
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Parks, Glenn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: S48, SANDY, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 262 total, 221 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNO, 35 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 19910927043639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910927043639A), Sep 27, 1991: Cessna 172E, Burns, OR, Substantial damage. Magneto recently installed,improperly timed. Caused high fuel consumption. Pilot passed airport,ran out of fuel.

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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