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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 22, 1993 · Cessna 172 · N90441

Phillips, ME

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 22, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Phillips, ME
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N90441
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC93LA171

THE AIRPLANE WAS AT AN ALTITUDE OF 2000 FEET , 2 MILES NORTH OF PHILLIPS AIRPORT, WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT TRIED TO FORCE LAND AT THE AIRPORT, BUT THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE ABOUT 200 YARDS SHORT OF THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT STATED HE DID NOT KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL WAS ABOARD AT TAKEOFF; HOWEVER, HE NOTED THE FUEL QUANTITY GAGES WERE NEAR EMPTY. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THERE WAS AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT AND INFLIGHT DECISION WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

Full Narrative

On Sunday, August 22, 1993, at about 1245 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N90441, piloted by Mr. Leon Ross, collided with a tree during a forced landing near Phillips, Maine. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and the two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91. The pilot did not make a statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2. According to the FAA, the pilot stated that the airplane's engine lost total power approximately 2 miles north of the Phillips, Maine Airport, at an approximate altitude of 2000 feet. The pilot attempted to make a landing at the Phillips Airport, but landed about 200 yards east of the airport on the southeast side of Route 4, and impacted with a tree. According to the FAA: "...Mr. Ross [pilot] stated he had fueled the aircraft with 10 gallons of autogas on Saturday, August 21, 1993, and flown approximately one half hour on that day...he fueled the aircraft with another 10 gallons of autogas on Sunday, August 22, 1993. Mr. Ross stated that he flew approximately 3 hours on Sunday... According to the FAA the pilot did not know how much fuel was on board the airplane at takeoff, but said, "...when he took off the fuel gauges were reading just above the red line. The FAA examined the fuel tanks while the airplane was resting in a 45 degree nose down angle, using a stick to determine fuel levels. According to the FAA, "...both tanks showed fuel at the 2-3 inch mark." The fuel line from the gascolator was disconnected, and according to the FAA, "...small droplets of fuel emerged...the gascolator revealed a small to medium pool of fuel."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:45 EDT
Nearest AirportRAYMOND (0nm E)
Runway13
Runway Length2300 ft
Runway Width90 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN90441
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data