Cessna 172 N7124A

Summary

On 26 November 1992 at about 16:00 local time, a Cessna 172 registered N7124A, operated by Klepper, David L., was involved in an accident near Hamlin, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 November 1992 at 16:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Hamlin, Texas, United States

Coordinates

32.8802, -100.1195

Aircraft

Cessna 172

Registration

N7124A

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Klepper, David L.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Dallas → Rotan

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW93LA041

1 person had minor injuries.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SWITCH FUEL TANKS AND HIS FAILURE TO PERFORM THE PRESCRIBED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOLLOWING THE FUEL STARVATION INDUCED ENGINE FAILURE. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE EMERGENCY LANDING.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

ACCORDING TO THE STUDENT PILOT, AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR IN FLIGHT, HE SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM BOTH TO THE LEFT TANK. DURING DESCENT INTO HIS DESTINATION AREA, THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD FORGOTTEN TO SWITCH TANKS AND HAD RUN THE LEFT TANK DRY. HE SAID THAT HE CONCENTRATED ON FLYING THE AIRPLANE AND DID NOT ATTEMPT TO SWITCH TANKS AND RESTART THE ENGINE. HE SELECTED A COTTON FIELD AS A FORCED LANDING AREA; HOWEVER, HE OVERSHOT AND THE AIRPLANE LANDED IN A MESQUITE THICKET. AFTER ROLLING THROUGH THE THICKET, THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST IN A FOUR FOOT DEEP STOCK POND.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.