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Casualties unknown

Pilot Reports Fuel Exhaustion Before Crash in Wooded Area (N4673K)

Cantebury, NH, US

On July 17, 1987, a Cessna R172K (registration N4673K) was involved in an aviation accident near Cantebury, NH. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot transmitted on UNICOM that he was out of gas and would crash. A CFI located the aircraft after it crashed. No fuel was found post-accident; the aircraft had flown about 4.3 hours since refueling.

Incident Overview

A local certified flight instructor (CFI) heard a pilot transmit over the UNICOM frequency. The pilot stated that he was "north of the airport at 1100 ft & out of gas, so I guess I'm going to crash." The CFI attempted to establish further communication with the pilot but was unsuccessful. Following the transmission, the CFI flew north of the airport and located the aircraft where it had crashed in a wooded area.

Flight History

The aircraft had flown about 4.3 hours since it was last refueled, according to records. During a post-accident examination, no fuel was found in the aircraft, supporting the pilot's report of fuel exhaustion.

Investigation Details

The investigation did not specify additional causal factors. The pilot's own transmission indicated that the accident was due to fuel exhaustion. The wreckage was located in a wooded area north of the airport.

Fuel exhaustion & starvation

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 17 Jul 1987 Cessna R172K accident near Cantebury, NH?

A pilot transmitted on UNICOM that he was out of gas and would crash. A CFI located the aircraft after it crashed. No fuel was found post-accident; the aircraft had flown about 4.3 hours since refueling.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 17 Jul 1987 involved a Cessna R172K, registration N4673K, at Cantebury, NH.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X31624. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.