N8921V

Substantial
None

CESSNA 172MS/N: 17264278

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, March 21, 2010
NTSB Number
ERA10CA181
Location
Connelsville, PA
Event ID
20100322X80146
Coordinates
39.959167, -79.656944
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
3
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to refuel.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
17264278
Engine Type
4-cycle
Model / ICAO
172MC172
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
4
FAA Model
172M

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
FLIGHT ANSWERS LLC
Address
5077 NW 7TH ST APT 1209
City
MIAMI
State / Zip Code
FL 33126-3465
Country
United States

Analysis

The airplane’s fuel tanks were last filled on the day prior to the accident. It was then flown for 1.3 hours before the accident flight, and not refueled. While en route, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to perform a forced landing to a field, but the airplane’s nose landing gear contacted a power line. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground inverted. From the time of the last fuel service, to the time of the accident, the airplane accrued 6.0 hours of total Hobbs time. Examination of the airplane, including the fuel feed system, by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies. Only residual and unusable fuel was found in the tanks. According to the airplane owner's manual, the fuel endurance at cruise power setting is 5.9 hours. That figure does not include, engine start, taxi, takeoff, and climb.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA10CA181