Nachogdoches, TX, USA
N12CT
Cessna 172
The 550-hour pilot reported that when he was at a cruise altitude of 2,500 feet mean seal level (msl), when the "engine quit." During the forced landing, the airplane struck the tops of trees, nosed over, and impacted terrain. The pilot further stated that he "thought he ran out of fuel." Examination of the airplane revealed that no fuel was observed in the left fuel tank. The owner reported that during the recovery of the airplane, approximately three gallons of automotive fuel was drained from the right fuel tank.
On March 19, 2005, approximately 1705 central standard time, a Cessna 172M single-engine airplane, N12CT, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during cruise flight near Nacogdoches, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Angelina County Airport (LFK), near Lufkin, Texas, at an unknown time and was destined for the Al Mangham Jr. Airport (OCH), near Nacogdoches, Texas. During a telephone interview with an NTSB representative, the 550-hour pilot reported that while at a cruise altitude of 2,500 feet mean seal level (msl), when the "engine quit." The pilot initiated a forced landing to a nearby dirt road, but noticed a set of power lines adjacent to the road. The pilot added that instead of going near the power lines, he elected to land in an area of small trees. At an altitude of approximately 30 feet above ground level, the airplane struck the tops of the trees, nosed over, and impacted the ground. The pilot further stated that he "thought he ran out of fuel." Examination of the airplane by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the site of the accident, revealed that the airplane came to rest within trees in a near vertical nose-down attitude. The leading edges of both wings were crushed aft. The engine was crushed aft into engine firewall. No fuel was observed in the left fuel tank. The owner reported that during the recovery of the airplane, approximately three gallons of automotive fuel was drained from the right fuel tank. A completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) was not received from the pilot.
The pilot's improper in-flight planning which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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