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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 13, 2000 · Cessna 172-B · N7894X

Palatka, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 13, 2000
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Palatka, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 172-B
Tail Number
N7894X
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL01LA007

According to the pilot, while on the fourth touch-and-go approach, the engine lost power and quit about 3/4 of a mile short of the runway. The pilot selected a forced landing area and attempted a landing on a nearby road. During the approach to land the airplane collided with an automobile. The on-scene examination of the airplane revealed that less then one gallon of fuel remained in both fuel tanks. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were found during the engine examination.

NTSB Probable Cause

The CFI's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

On October 13, 2000, at 0921 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172B, N7894X, collided with an automobile during a forced landing on Junior College Road in Palatka, Florida. The airplane was operated by the Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local training flight. The CFI received minor injuries, the student pilot no injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage, and the occupant of the automobile was not injured. The flight originated from Crescent City, Florida, at 0830. According to the CFI, the flight departed Thunderbird Air Park (26J) in Crescent City, Florida, at 0830 eastern daylight time on a training flight to Kay Larkin Airport (28J) in Palatka, Florida, to practice touch and go landings. After arrival at Kay Larkin Airport three touch and go landings were successfully completed. On the fourth approach the engine quit at about 3/4 of a mile from the runway. The student pilot said that they made a forced landing on Jr. Collage Road, and had only a short distance to set the plane down before the road came to an end at the intersection of St. Johns Avenue. Attempts failed to stop the airplane on the road and the airplane traveled down into a drainage ditch that parallels St. Johns Avenue. Power lines crossed over, and then parallel Jr. Collage Road shortening the landing distance available for the airplane. A automobile, with one occupant onboard, was struck at the intersection of Jr. Collage Road and St. Johns Avenue. On-scene examination of the airplane revealed that less then one gallon of fuel remained in both fuel tanks. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were found during the engine examination.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:21 EDT
Nearest AirportKay Larkin (1nm)
Runway35
Runway Length3500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172-B
Tail NumberN7894X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D-6DR · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data