Cessna 172G accident near Butler, Missouri, June 17, 2002
On June 17, 2002 at about 1:51 am local time, a Cessna 172G, registered N5953R, was substantially damaged in an accident near Butler, Missouri (Butler Memorial airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The fuel exhaustion, the inadequate fuel consumption calculations by the pilot, and the inadequate in-flight planning/decision by the pilot. The unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing is a contributing factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 17, 2002 · about 1:51 am local time
- Place
- Butler, Missouri · Butler Memorial · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172G · all 172Gs on the register
- Registration
- N5953R · no longer on the register · serial 17253622
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing on a pond and tall grass in a 1,000 foot long field. The airplane nosed over during the landing. The pilot continued past a planned refueling stop in order to take advantage of a tailwind. The flight had been en route for approximately 5 hours and 20 minutes when the pilot diverted to an alternate airport to obtain fuel. This alternate airport was approximately one hour from the intended destination. The pilot stated that the fuel gauges were indicating a 1/4 fuel remaining in each fuel tank when he decided to divert to the alternate airport. During the approach to the alternate airport , the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. Examination of the fuel system revealed that there was no fuel in the fuel tanks.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,200 hours in all; 657 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 24 in the last 30 days; 1,122 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 29, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,577 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2002; 200 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300-D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RAP Rapid City SD at 8:00 pm
- Destination: SGF Springfield MO
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.