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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

May 16, 1993 · Cessna 172E · N5416T

Manassas, VA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 16, 1993
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Manassas, VA
Aircraft
Cessna 172E
Tail Number
N5416T
Operator
Continental Aviation Club
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO93LA090

THE PILOT WAS EN ROUTE TO HIS DESTINATION AT ABOUT 3000 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE STATED THAT HE RESTARTED THE ENGINE ONCE, BUT IT LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTERWARD. THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN FLOWN EARLIER THAT DAY BY ANOTHER PILOT. THE PILOT (OF THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT) ESTIMATED HE HAD 18 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD AND HIS FLYING TIME WOULD BE 1 HOUR TEN MINUTES. AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER, HE ESTABLISHED THE BEST RATE OF GLIDE AND TRIED TO REACH THE NEAREST AIRPORT. HOWEVER, HIS ALTITUDE WAS INSUFFICIENT AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES ABOUT 1.5 MI EAST OF THE AIRPORT AND FELL TO THE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED 1 QUART OF FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK; THE RIGHT TANK AND CARBURETOR WERE EMPTY.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION, DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT WAS EN ROUTE TO HIS DESTINATION AT ABOUT 3000 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE STATED THAT HE RESTARTED THE ENGINE ONCE, BUT IT LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTERWARD. THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN FLOWN EARLIER THAT DAY BY ANOTHER PILOT. THE PILOT (OF THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT) ESTIMATED HE HAD 18 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD AND HIS FLYING TIME WOULD BE 1 HOUR TEN MINUTES. AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER, HE ESTABLISHED THE BEST RATE OF GLIDE AND TRIED TO REACH THE NEAREST AIRPORT. HOWEVER, HIS ALTITUDE WAS INSUFFICIENT AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES ABOUT 1.5 MI EAST OF THE AIRPORT AND FELL TO THE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED 1 QUART OF FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK; THE RIGHT TANK AND CARBURETOR WERE EMPTY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:12 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172E
Tail NumberN5416T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorContinental Aviation Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data