Accident Details
On August 29, 2008, at approximately 1856 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, registration N172ST, experienced a total loss of engine power and subsequently executed a forced landing near Burbank, California. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The private pilot was seriously injured, and two passengers received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to Universal Aviators Academy of El Monte, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight, which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 without a filed flight plan. The flight originated from Modesto City Airport, Harry Sham Field (MOD), at about 1530, with a reported destination of Brackett Field (POC) in La Verne, California.
Flight History
The pilot, who had obtained his private pilot certificate three days prior to the flight, planned the round-robin cross-country flight to build flight hours. The intended route was from El Monte Airport (EMT) to MOD, a distance of 286 nautical miles as per his Flight Navigation Log. However, the pilot first flew from EMT to POC to pick up a friend before proceeding to MOD, a deviation of 13 nautical miles east.
According to a post-accident interview conducted by an FAA inspector, the pilot had both fuel tanks filled before departing EMT, totaling 43 gallons (40 usable). The pilot reported using an average fuel burn of 8 to 10 gallons per hour for planning, with an average ground speed of 98 knots, yielding an en route time of 2.8 hours from EMT to MOD. The inspector calculated that the flight from EMT to MOD consumed about 24.7 gallons, leaving an estimated 15.3 gallons upon arrival at MOD.
After landing at MOD, the pilot added 5 gallons to each tank, bringing the total fuel for the return flight to 25.3 gallons, equating to about 2.8 hours at 9 gallons per hour. The inspector noted that this did not account for the required 45-minute VFR fuel reserve (approximately 7 gallons), which would have necessitated at least 32 gallons.
On the return leg, as the aircraft neared Van Nuys Airport (VNY) at 9,500 feet msl, the engine began losing power. The pilot contacted air traffic control, reported a fuel problem, and requested landing clearance at Bob Hope Airport (BUR) in Burbank. The engine then produced zero thrust with the propeller windmilling. Cleared to land on Runway 15, the pilot executed a turn from base to final while performing checklists, resulting in overshooting the runway. He attempted a landing on a residential street. The left wing struck a street light and powerlines. The aircraft came to rest inverted, suspended above the street by a powerline wrapped around the empennage, with the nose resting on a parked car's roof and the right wing tip on the pavement. The left wing was folded back at a 45-degree angle, the rudder was partially severed, and the vertical stabilizer sustained damage. All landing gear remained intact; no post-crash fire occurred.
Post-Accident Examination
An FAA inspector conducted a post-accident engine examination. After installing a new propeller, the engine started and ran normally, producing power with throttle movement. The mixture control functioned properly during shutdown. The pilot reported no preexisting anomalies with the airplane or engine. The inspector noted that common industry practice allows for a fuel burn of 8 to 10 gallons per hour, which the pilot had used in his planning.