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Engine Failure Leads to Forced Landing and Nose-Over After Fuel Starvation (N12CT)

Nachogdoches, TX, US

On March 19, 2005, a Cessna 172 (registration N12CT) was involved in an aviation accident near Nachogdoches, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper in-flight planning which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. 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 with 550 hours reported an engine failure at 2,500 ft msl, resulting in a forced landing during which the airplane struck trees, nosed over, and impacted terrain. No fuel was found in the left tank; three gallons of automotive fuel were drained from the right tank.

Incident Overview

A pilot with 550 hours of flight experience was conducting a cruise at an altitude of 2,500 feet mean sea level when the engine ceased operation. The pilot subsequently executed a forced landing. During the descent, the airplane contacted the tops of trees, then nosed over and struck the ground.

Pilot Statement

The pilot reported that he believed the engine failure resulted from fuel exhaustion, stating, "thought he ran out of fuel."

Aircraft Examination

Post-accident inspection of the airplane revealed that the left fuel tank contained no fuel. The owner, during the recovery of the aircraft, drained approximately three gallons of automotive fuel from the right fuel tank.

Findings

  • The engine lost power at cruise altitude.
  • The forced landing involved contact with tree tops and a nose-over.
  • The left fuel tank was empty.
  • Automotive fuel was present in the right fuel tank.
Fuel exhaustion & starvation

Related events

Same aircraft family

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 19 Mar 2005 Cessna 172 accident near Nachogdoches, TX?

A pilot with 550 hours reported an engine failure at 2,500 ft msl, resulting in a forced landing during which the airplane struck trees, nosed over, and impacted terrain. No fuel was found in the left tank; three gallons of automotive fuel were drained from the right tank.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 19 Mar 2005 involved a Cessna 172, registration N12CT, at Nachogdoches, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's improper in-flight planning which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20050331X00384. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.