CESSNA 172M
Connelsville, PA — March 21, 2010
Event Information
| Date | March 21, 2010 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ERA10CA181 |
| Event ID | 20100322X80146 |
| Location | Connelsville, PA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 39.95917, -79.65694 |
| Airport | Connellsville |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | CESSNA |
| Model | 172M |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 3 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to refuel.
Full Narrative
The airplane’s fuel tanks were last filled on the day prior to the accident. It was then flown for 1.3 hours before the accident flight, and not refueled. While en route, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to perform a forced landing to a field, but the airplane’s nose landing gear contacted a power line. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground inverted. From the time of the last fuel service, to the time of the accident, the airplane accrued 6.0 hours of total Hobbs time. Examination of the airplane, including the fuel feed system, by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies. Only residual and unusable fuel was found in the tanks. According to the airplane owner's manual, the fuel endurance at cruise power setting is 5.9 hours. That figure does not include, engine start, taxi, takeoff, and climb.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.