Aviation Accident Summary ATL05CA157

Haleyville, AL, USA

Aircraft #1

N5320R

Cessna 172F

Analysis

The pilot stated during the preflight inspection that the left and right fuel gauge indicated a quarter tank of fuel. The pilot did not visually check the fuel tank or stick the fuel tank before departing on the flight. While in cruise flight at 1,500 feet MSL, the engine sputtered and lost. The pilot stated he looked at the left and right fuel gauge and they both indicated empty. The pilot made a forced landing to an open field and the airplane collided with a burrow and flipped over. The pilot stated, "there were not a mechanical malfunction, he simply failed to ensure he had sufficient fuel on the airplane during the preflight inspection."

Factual Information

On September 4, 2005, at 1857 central daylight time, a Cessna 172F, N5320R, registered to and operated by a private owner, as a 14 CFR Part 91 visual flight, nosed over during a forced landing in a field near Haleyville, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and a visual flight plan was not filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the private pilot was not injured. The flight departed Posey Field, Haleyville, Alabama, on September 4, 2005, at 1842. The pilot stated during the preflight inspection that the left and right fuel gauge indicated a quarter tank of fuel. The pilot did not visually check the fuel tank or stick the fuel tank before departing on the flight. While in cruise flight at 1,500 feet MSL, the engine sputtered and lost. The pilot stated he looked at the left and right fuel gauge and they both indicated empty. The pilot made a forced landing to an open field and the airplane collided with a burrow and flipped over. The pilot stated, there were not a mechanical malfunction.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilots inadequate preflight of the fuel tank resulting in a total loss of engine power in cruise flight due to fuel exhaustion, resulting in a forced landing, and nose over on landing roll out.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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