Cessna 172K N5138G

Summary

On 29 June 2003 at about 16:15 local time, a Cessna 172K registered N5138G, operated by Phoenix Aviation, was involved in an accident near White Marsh, Maryland, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 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

29 June 2003 at 16:15

Classification

Accident

Location

White Marsh, Maryland, United States

Nearest airport

Martin State (MTN)

Coordinates

39.3625, -76.4497

Aircraft

Cessna 172K

Registration

N5138G

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Phoenix Aviation

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Frederick → Baltimore

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC03LA139

3 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's in-flight decision to not land and refuel, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inadequate communications.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was returning to an airport located inside an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The pilot had filed a flight plan and was informed that the flight plan was valid for two hours after his proposed departure time of 0900. When the pilot contacted air traffic control (ATC) at 1114 and attempted to obtain clearance to enter the ADIZ, an air traffic controller was not able to locate a flight plan for the flight, and at 1126, the pilot was instructed to contact a flight service station to file a flight plan. The pilot reported to the Safety Board that he was not able to contact the flight service station; and made contact with air traffic control several times, while holding for a clearance into the ADIZ. At 1208:23 the airplane was cleared to land, and at 1214:16, the pilot declared an emergency due to fuel exhaustion. The airplane struck trees during the ensuing forced landing. The pilot further reported that while awaiting clearance into the ADIZ, he observed the fuel gages getting "pretty low" and estimated he had about 30 minutes of fuel remaining. The engine lost power about 15 or 20 minutes later. Review of communication transcripts revealed that the pilot did not inform ATC of the airplane's fuel status, nor did he inform ATC that he was unable to contact flight service to file a flight plan. Review of an aeronautical chart and an airport facility directory revealed that an airport was located about 8 miles east-northeast of the airplane's holding position. The airport was located outside of the ADIZ area and provided fuel services.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.