On March 10, 1990, a Cessna 172N (registration N5193F) operated by Aerocade Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Arlington, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fuel exhaustion resulting in engine failure. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During practice landings, the engine quit due to fuel exhaustion. An emergency landing on soft terrain resulted in the airplane nosing over. No fuel was found onboard; fuel gauge discrepancy noted.
Accident Overview
An instructor and a rated private pilot were conducting practice landings when the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion during the turn to left downwind. The pilot executed an off-airport emergency landing onto soft terrain, after which the airplane nosed over.
Fuel Examination
Post-accident inspection revealed no fuel onboard the aircraft. However, the left fuel quantity gauge indicated one quarter tank remaining. This discrepancy persisted unchanged throughout post-accident testing. The private pilot had briefed the instructor during preflight that he could not visually confirm the half-tank indications on the fuel gauges. The instructor responded that they would be airborne for an hour to an hour and a half and expressed confidence that the fuel supply was adequate.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident was fuel exhaustion, leading to the engine failure.
What happened in the 10 Mar 1990 Cessna 172N accident near Arlington, TX?
During practice landings, the engine quit due to fuel exhaustion. An emergency landing on soft terrain resulted in the airplane nosing over. No fuel was found onboard; fuel gauge discrepancy noted.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 10 Mar 1990 involved a Cessna 172N, registration N5193F, operated by Aerocade Aviation, at Arlington, TX.
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