CESSNA 172G

Temecula, CA — March 22, 2013

Event Information

DateMarch 22, 2013
Event TypeACC
NTSB NumberWPR13CA163
Event ID20130326X31219
LocationTemecula, CA
CountryUSA
Coordinates33.57417, -117.12861
AirportFrench Valley Airport
Highest InjuryMINR

Aircraft

MakeCESSNA
Model172G
CategoryAIR
FAR Part091
Aircraft DamageSUBS

Conditions

Light ConditionDAYL
WeatherVMC

Injuries

Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
None0
Total Injured1

Event Location

Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

Full Narrative

According to the pilot, the airplane lost engine power as he approached the destination airport. The pilot attempted to restart the engine unsuccessfully and performed a forced landing to a nearby street. During the landing roll, the airplane hit a chain link fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine firewall, undercarriage, and the tail. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuel tanks remained intact and were not breached, and that both tanks contained a total of 1.5 gallons of fuel. The Cessna pilot operating handbook identifies 3.0 gallons as unusable. There was no evidence of preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

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.

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