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Fuel Exhaustion Forces Landing After Pilot Unable to Locate Destination Airport (N21662)

Millville, OH, US

On July 5, 1991, a Cessna 172 (registration N21662) operated by GO Leasing Company was involved in an aviation accident near Millville, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION AFTER BECOMING LOST, RESULTING IN ENGINE FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA, AND HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF OPERATION. 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.

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

A pilot on a 4.6-hour flight from Manhattan, Kansas to Harrison, Ohio, could not find the destination airport, circled for 45 minutes without requesting radar assistance, then experienced fuel exhaustion and made a forced landing onto a parking lot, striking a fence.

Flight Planning

The pilot planned a 4.6-hour en route flight from Manhattan, Kansas, to Harrison, Ohio. Upon the estimated arrival time, the pilot was unable to locate the destination airport.

Search for Airport

For approximately 45 minutes, the pilot circled in an attempt to find the airport. Despite the availability of radar services in the area, the pilot did not request assistance.

Fuel Exhaustion and Forced Landing

Engine fuel exhaustion occurred, and the pilot executed a forced landing onto a parking lot. During the landing, the aircraft struck a fence.

Pilot Experience

The pilot's flight experience was primarily in helicopters. He had accumulated a total flight time of 12 hours in the make and model of airplane involved in the flight.

Pilot Statement

After the event, the pilot stated, 'At the first sign of disorientation I should have contacted Cincinnati radar control for vectors.'

Fuel exhaustion & starvation

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Cessna 172 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 5 Jul 1991 Cessna 172 accident near Millville, OH?

A pilot on a 4.6-hour flight from Manhattan, Kansas to Harrison, Ohio, could not find the destination airport, circled for 45 minutes without requesting radar assistance, then experienced fuel exhaustion and made a forced landing onto a parking lot, striking a fence.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 5 Jul 1991 involved a Cessna 172, registration N21662, operated by GO Leasing Company, at Millville, OH.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION AFTER BECOMING LOST, RESULTING IN ENGINE FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA, AND HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF OPERATION.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X17661. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.