Cessna 172K N46588

Summary

On 12 March 2007 at about 17:15 local time, a Cessna 172K registered N46588 was involved in an accident near Paris, Tennessee, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 March 2007 at 17:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Paris, Tennessee, United States

Nearest airport

Henry County Airport (KPHT)

Coordinates

36.2991, -88.3007

Aircraft

Cessna 172K

Registration

N46588

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Chattanooga → Memphis

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL07CA050

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's improper fuel management resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane nosed over during a forced landing following a total loss of power. The pilot stated he was in cruise flight at 3,000 feet heading north when the engine sputtered. The pilot switched the fuel tanks, turned the carburetor heat on, and turned towards the nearest airport. The pilot contacted the fixed base operator (FBO) at the airport on the UNICOM radio frequency and was informed the winds were favoring runway 20. On base leg to the runway, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot realized he could not make the runway, and made a hard left turn towards a cornfield. The nose landing gear collided with a berm/furrow in the corn field, the airplane bounced, and nosed over inverted. Two lineman located at the airport observed the accident. One lineman called the 911 emergency operator to report the accident, and the other lineman went to the accident site to assist. The lineman and a deputy sheriff arrived at the crash site. The deputy sheriff took a statement from the pilot. The lineman heard the pilot inform the deputy sheriff that he ran the airplane out of fuel and came up short on the landing while attempting to reach the airport. Examination of the airplane by the FAA revealed no smell of fuel or leakage of fuel was present at the crash site. The airplane was turned over by recovery personnel. The left and right fuel caps were removed and were found to have a tight seal. The left and right fuel tanks were not ruptured and no fuel was present. About one half ounce of fuel was drained from the left and right fuel tank drains. The airplane was recovered to the airport and secured for an engine run. Five gallons of fuel was added to the left main fuel tank. The engine was started, it ran, and was shut down.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.