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NTSB Report
December 1, 1987 · Cessna 172H · N2522L
Paducah, KY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 1, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Paducah, KY
Aircraft
Cessna 172H
Tail Number
N2522L
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL88LA049
ABT 20 MI FROM PADUCAH (PAH), THE PLT CONTACTED THE FSS & SAID THE ACFT WAS LOW ON FUEL & THAT HE INTENDED TO LAND AT PAH. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FBO AT PAH WAS CLOSED FOR THE NIGHT & FUEL WAS AVAILABLE ONLY IF A $25 CALL-OUT FEE WAS PAID. ALSO, HE WAS TOLD THAT FUEL WAS AVAILABLE AT NEARBY FARRINGTON AIRPARK (KY29) & THAT IT WAS OPEN FROM SUNSET TO SUNRISE. THE PLT ELECTED TO CONT TO KY29, WHICH WAS ABOUT 12 MI BEYOND PAH. HE SAW THE ARPT BEACON, BUT WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE RWY. AS HE WAS MANEUVERING TO FIND THE RWY, THE ENG LOST PWR FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS LANDED IN TREES & CAME TO REST NOSE DOWN ABOVE THE TERRAIN. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE RWY LIGHTING HRS AT KY29 HAD BEEN CHANGED TO TURN OFF THE LIGHTS AT AROUND MIDNIGHT. ACCORDING TO THE ARPT/FACILITY DIRECTORY, OPERATING HRS FOR THE RWY LIGHTS WERE FROM SUNSET TO SUNRISE. HOWEVER, ARPT MANAGEMENT PSNL FOR KY29 HAD NOT NOTIFIED THE FAA OF THE CHANGE.
Full Narrative
ABT 20 MI FROM PADUCAH (PAH), THE PLT CONTACTED THE FSS & SAID THE ACFT WAS LOW ON FUEL & THAT HE INTENDED TO LAND AT PAH. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FBO AT PAH WAS CLOSED FOR THE NIGHT & FUEL WAS AVAILABLE ONLY IF A $25 CALL-OUT FEE WAS PAID. ALSO, HE WAS TOLD THAT FUEL WAS AVAILABLE AT NEARBY FARRINGTON AIRPARK (KY29) & THAT IT WAS OPEN FROM SUNSET TO SUNRISE. THE PLT ELECTED TO CONT TO KY29, WHICH WAS ABOUT 12 MI BEYOND PAH. HE SAW THE ARPT BEACON, BUT WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE RWY. AS HE WAS MANEUVERING TO FIND THE RWY, THE ENG LOST PWR FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS LANDED IN TREES & CAME TO REST NOSE DOWN ABOVE THE TERRAIN. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE RWY LIGHTING HRS AT KY29 HAD BEEN CHANGED TO TURN OFF THE LIGHTS AT AROUND MIDNIGHT. ACCORDING TO THE ARPT/FACILITY DIRECTORY, OPERATING HRS FOR THE RWY LIGHTS WERE FROM SUNSET TO SUNRISE. HOWEVER, ARPT MANAGEMENT PSNL FOR KY29 HAD NOT NOTIFIED THE FAA OF THE CHANGE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:38 CST
Nearest AirportFarrington Airpark (0nm E)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172H
Tail NumberN2522L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind260° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 3500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point41 C / 34 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time05:50
Weather SourceWFAC