Cessna 172N accident near Clarkston, Michigan, August 26, 1995
On August 26, 1995 at about 3:38 pm local time, a Cessna 172N, registered N738CL, was substantially damaged in an accident near Clarkston, Michigan. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's failure to refuel.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 26, 1995 · about 3:38 pm local time
- Place
- Clarkston, Michigan
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172N · all 172Ns on the register
- Registration
- N738CL · no longer on the register · serial 17269871
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that prior to departure he obtained a full weather briefing and performed a full preflight. He was informed that the airplane had flown for approximately 1/2 hour the night before. The pilot stated the fuel tanks appeared virtually full and the fuel gauges read FULL. Since the tanks appeared 'just about full,' he decided not to have the tanks topped off prior to departure. Approximately 2 hours into the flight, the visibility deteriorated. The pilot decided to turn around and go back to his departure airport. Approximately 17 miles from his destination, the airplane's engine lost all power. The pilot made a forced landing on a field. The airplane impacted trees and became inverted. Postaccident examination found no fuel in the fuel tanks, fuel lines, or carburetor. No fuel stains were observed.
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: 115 hours in all; 56 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 83 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,235 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 25, 1995; 9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-H2AD (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: L & W Flying Services INC.
The flight
- Departed from: 7D2 Troy MI at 11:30 am
- Destination: Y84 Mackinac Island MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 2:56 pm from FNT, 27 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.