Cessna 172H N3027U

Summary

On 11 June 2003 at about 01:40 local time, a Cessna 172H registered N3027U was involved in an accident near East Vincent, Pennsylvania, United States. 2 people were 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

11 June 2003 at 01:40

Classification

Accident

Location

East Vincent, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

New Castle County (ILG)

Coordinates

40.1706, -75.6008

Aircraft

Cessna 172H

Registration

N3027U

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Wilmington → Perkasie

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

NYC03LA127

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/preparation which resulted in fuel exhaustion during cruise flight. The pilot's inadequate preflight preparation in which he failed to refuel the airplane is a contributing factor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he initially departed with full fuel tanks, flew about 1 hour, 30 minutes, and then experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot then performed a forced landing to a field, and the airplane came to rest inverted. A witness stated that before the initial departure, the pilot had inquired about purchasing fuel. After some delay, an airport employee offered to fuel the airplane, but the pilot subsequently declined the offer. The witnesses added that according to the aircraft rental log, the pilot departed with the fuel tanks about half full, and flew approximately 2 hours, 10 minutes. Examination of the wreckage revealed that no fuel was present in the fuel tanks, fuel strainer, carburetor, or carburetor bowl.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.