Cessna 172E N7746U

Summary

On 27 August 1988 at about 05:30 local time, a Cessna 172E registered N7746U, operated by Gatlin Aviation, was involved in an accident near Katy, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one 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

27 August 1988 at 05:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Katy, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Lovey Trails

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Cessna 172E

Registration

N7746U

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Gatlin Aviation

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Brenham → Waller

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

FTW88LA156

1 person had minor injuries.

FUEL EXHAUSTION INDUCED POWER LOSS, WHICH NECESSITATED THE FORCED LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S DECISION TO ATTEMPT TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO REFUEL, AND BECOMING LOST DURING THAT EFFORT.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT DEPARTED ON THE NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING NIGHT CURRENCY. DURING THE RETURN LEG THE PILOT STOPPED AT THREE AIRPORTS, BUT WAS UNABLE TO FUEL BECAUSE FIXED BASE OPERATORS WERE CLOSED. IN AN EFFORT TO RETURN TO THE POINT OF DEPARTURE THE PILOT OVERFLEW THE DESTINATION BECAUSE AIRPORT LIGHTING WAS SECURED AT 2300. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO A LIGHTED PRIVATE STRIP THE FUEL EXHAUSTION INDUCED POWER LOSS OCCURRED. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE LEFT WING STRUCK A POWER LINE AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN NOSE GEAR FIRST.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.