Cessna 172H accident near Dania Beach, Florida, June 1, 2010
On June 1, 2010 at about 11:32 pm local time, a Cessna 172H, registered N1435F, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Dania Beach, Florida (Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 1, 2010 · about 11:32 pm local time
- Place
- Dania Beach, Florida · Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172H · all 172Hs on the register
- Registration
- N1435F · no longer on the register · serial 17254930
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot turned the airplane onto the final approach leg of the traffic pattern and shortly thereafter the engine experienced a total loss of power. After unsuccessfully attempting to restart the engine, the pilot elected to perform a forced landing to a field near the airport. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted the ground, collapsing the main landing gear; the wingtips contacted the ground and the nose and fuselage incurred substantial damage. A postaccident examination revealed that there was half a gallon of fuel in the right tank, and no fuel was present in the left tank. There was no evidence of additional fuel at accident site. During an engine run test, the engine started on the initial attempt and operated up to full power. The examination disclosed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction.
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
What happened, in order
- Fuel exhaustion during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern final)
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Fuel planning › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid management
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,295 hours in all; 1,292 in this make and model; 1,170 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 14, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,463 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 16, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4M (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: X60 Williston FL at 8:08 pm
- Destination: FLL Dania Beach FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 130° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 2,500 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from FLL, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.