Probable cause
The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that she departed on the aerial observation flight with about 40 gallons of fuel on board. The airplane flew for about 4 hours 24 minutes and was at an altitude of about 5,300 ft mean sea level when it started to shake, and the engine rpm dropped to about 900. The pilot reported that, during cruise flight, she would select either the left or right fuel tank to equalize the fuel in the tanks. After the engine lost power, the pilot switched the fuel selector valve to both and attempted to restore engine power without success. The pilot prepared for a forced landing to a gravel road. During the forced landing, the airplane bounced and veered off the road and into a field; the wings and fuselage were substantially damaged when the airplane nosed over.
The first responders reported that, immediately after the accident, fuel was leaking from the right fuel tank but not the left fuel tank. After the airplane was righted, the left fuel tank was found empty, and 4 gallons of fuel were recovered from the right fuel tank. It is unknown how much fuel leaked out while the airplane was inverted. A review of the pilot's operating handbook for the airplane make and model noted that the fuel tanks have a total capacity of 43 gallons of fuel (3 gallons of unusable fuel) and that, when properly configured, fuel consumption would be between 6.4 and 7.3 gallons per hour. The pilot reported that based on experience, she could get 5.5 hours of flight on full fuel tanks.
An engine test run and an examination of the airframe and related systems did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. Because fuel was recovered from the right fuel tank and not from the left and a successful engine test run was conducted, it is likely that the engine lost power due to fuel starvation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN19LA063 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 20, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Aguilares, Texas
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N99308
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1985
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial observation
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.