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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

March 12, 1986 · Cessna 172H · N2780L

Upper Marlboro, MD

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 12, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Upper Marlboro, MD
Aircraft
Cessna 172H
Tail Number
N2780L
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO86FA020

SINCE THE FUEL GAGES IN THE ACFT WERE KNOWN NOT TO BE ACCURATE, THE PLT MEASURED THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN EACH TANK WITH A DIPSTICK BEFORE DEPARTING. HE DETERMINED THAT HE HAD 18 GALLONS FOR THE 2 HOURS OF FLYING HE PLANNED TO DO AND BASED ON A FUEL CONSUMPTION RATE OF 5 GPH HE WOULD HAVE 8 GALLONS TO SPARE. THE ACFT RAN OUT OF FUEL SHORT OF HIS DESTINATION AND NOSED OVER IN A FIELD DURING THE ENSUING LANDING. USING A CESSNA AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE CHART THAT WAS IN THE ACFT, THE CONSUMPTION RATE FOR THE ENGINE RUNNING AT 75% POWER AT 2500 FEET MSL WAS 8.5 GPH. THE 8.5 GPH DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE FUEL REQUIRED FOR ENG START, TAXI AND CLIMB.

Full Narrative

SINCE THE FUEL GAGES IN THE ACFT WERE KNOWN NOT TO BE ACCURATE, THE PLT MEASURED THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN EACH TANK WITH A DIPSTICK BEFORE DEPARTING. HE DETERMINED THAT HE HAD 18 GALLONS FOR THE 2 HOURS OF FLYING HE PLANNED TO DO AND BASED ON A FUEL CONSUMPTION RATE OF 5 GPH HE WOULD HAVE 8 GALLONS TO SPARE. THE ACFT RAN OUT OF FUEL SHORT OF HIS DESTINATION AND NOSED OVER IN A FIELD DURING THE ENSUING LANDING. USING A CESSNA AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE CHART THAT WAS IN THE ACFT, THE CONSUMPTION RATE FOR THE ENGINE RUNNING AT 75% POWER AT 2500 FEET MSL WAS 8.5 GPH. THE 8.5 GPH DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE FUEL REQUIRED FOR ENG START, TAXI AND CLIMB.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:16 EST
Nearest AirportHydefield (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172H
Tail NumberN2780L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 21 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind350° @ 4 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 25 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time06:00
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data