Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he departed on the flight with a total of 18 gallons of fuel on board. About one hour into the flight, while over water, the engine lost power. He established best glide configuration and prepared to ditch the airplane. His personal flotation vest became entangled in the seat belt and headset wire and he did not feel that he had sufficient time to refer to the emergency procedures checklist. After attempting restart the engine and declaring an emergency, the engine regained power. After setting up to land at a nearby airport, the engine lost power again, so he performed a forced landing in a farm field. After touchdown, the nose landing gear dug into the soil and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The airframe was substantially damaged. The pilot noted that the fuel selector handle was in the “left tank” position at the time of the accident. An examination of the fuel system revealed there were 1.5 gallons of fuel in the left wing tank, which remained intact, and 10 gallons in the right tank. The standard unusable fuel quantity for each of the airplane’s fuel tanks was 1.5 gallons. Based on the available information, the circumstances of the accident are consistent with a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 11, 2023, about 1410 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P airplane, N5453K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Port Norris, New Jersey. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he departed on the flight with about 18 gallons of fuel on board. While flying at 3,000 ft mean sea level while over Delaware Bay, the engine lost total power. He established the airplane’s best glide configuration and prepared to ditch in the water. His personal flotation vest became entangled in the seat belt and headset wire and he did not feel that he had sufficient time to refer to the emergency procedures checklist. He attempted to restart the engine, but was unsuccessful. Shortly after declaring an emergency, the engine regained power. He attempted to reach Millville Municipal Airport (MIV), Millville, New Jersey, as he climbed from 1,200 ft. The engine lost power again, so he established best glide speed and performed a forced landing in a farm field. After touchdown, the nose landing gear dug into the soil and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The pilot noted that the fuel selector handle was in the “left tank” position. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that the wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The wreckage was found inverted; however, the fuel caps were secured and there was no evidence of fuel leakage. The left wing fuel tank was intact and contained about 1.5 gallons of fuel. The right wing tank contained about 10 gallons of fuel. According to the Cessna 172P Pilot’s Operating Handbook, the standard fuel tank configuration includes 1.5 gallons of unusable fuel per tank. The pilot reported that, after the accident, when he went to check the fuel selector, he found that it was in the “LEFT” tank position. He further stated that he had only been running on one tank.