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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 27, 1994 · Cessna 172 · N1106F

Whitehall, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 27, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Whitehall, MI
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N1106F
Operator
John C Amunsen
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI94LA301

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY. HE MADE AN INTERMEDIATE STOP WITHOUT REFUELING AND CONTINUED TOWARD HIS POINT OF ORIGIN WITH AN ESTIMATED 10 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING ON BOARD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR THE PILOT NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGES INDICATED LOW. HE ATTEMPTED TO CONTINUE TO THE CLOSEST AIRPORT, HIS FUEL WAS EXHAUSTED, AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE TO A CROP FIELD. DURING TOUCHDOWN THE AIRPLANE FLIPPED OVER, COMING TO REST INVERTED.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE SOFT CROP FIELD.

Full Narrative

On August 27, 1994, at 1500 hours eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N1106F, operated by John C. Amunsen of Dowagiac, Michigan, made a forced landing in a carrot field near Whitehall, Michigan, after experiencing a total loss of engine power. The airplane came to rest inverted and was substantially damaged. No fire occurred and the student pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a student solo cross country training flight and originated from Dowagiac Municipal Airport, Dowagiac, Michigan at 1115 eastern daylight time. An intermediate stop was made at Cherry Capital Airport, Traverse City, Michigan, without refueling and the airplane was en route to Dowagiac via Muskegon, Michigan. The student pilot stated that he calculated distance in nautical miles. The pilot stated that en route to Muskegon he noticed his fuel gauges indicated low and he attempted to reach Muskegon County Airport. He stated that the fuel supply was exhausted, the engine lost power, and an emergency landing to a crop field was made. During touchdown, the nose wheel dug into the soft ground and the airplane flipped over.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 EDT
Nearest Airport15nm NNW
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN1106F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJohn C Amunsen
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data