Cessna 172H accident near Columbus, Georgia, December 12, 1992
On December 12, 1992, a Cessna 172H, registered N8819Z, was substantially damaged in an accident near Columbus, Georgia. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO PLAN A REFUELING STOP FOR THE FLIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN THE COMPLETE EXHAUSTION OF THE FUEL SUPPLY AND A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 12, 1992
- Place
- Columbus, Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172H · all 172Hs on the register
- Registration
- N8819Z · no longer on the register · serial 17255469
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR, THE STUDENT PILOT AND HIS FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR COMPLETED THE PREFLIGHT PLANNING WHICH INCLUDED COMPUTING REQUIRED FUEL. THE FLIGHT PLANNING CONCLUDED THAT THE PILOT HAD AMPLE FUEL PLUS APPROXIMATELY 1.7 HOURS OF FUEL UPON RETURNING TO COLUMBUS. THE ENGINE QUIT ON APPROACH AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES TWO MILES SHORT OF COLLUMBUS. THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. THE STUDENT PILOT FLEW THE AIRPLANE 4.7 HOURS PRIOR TO THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE STUDENT PILOT ALSO FAILED TO ACCOUNT FOR THE ADDITIONAL FLIGHT TIME ABOVE THE PLANNED FLIGHT TIME REQUIRED FOR THE FLIGHT.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 50 hours in all; 40 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 22 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,541 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, November 7, 1992; 54 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300-D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MCN Macon GA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: night, bright
- Wind: from 310° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.