Cessna 172A accident near Moccasin, California, July 4, 1993
On July 4, 1993, a Cessna 172A, registered N7875T, was substantially damaged in an accident near Moccasin, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PERFORM FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS. FACTORS RELATED TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OR INFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 4, 1993
- Place
- Moccasin, California
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172A · all 172As on the register
- Registration
- N7875T · no longer on the register · serial 47475
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT DID NOT PERFORM ANY PREFLIGHT OR EN ROUTE FUEL CALCULATIONS FOR THE FLIGHT. THE PILOT LANDED AT AN AIRPORT TO PICKUP A PASSENGER. WHILE RETURNING TO THE INITIAL DEPARTURE AIRPORT, THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A RAVINE. A POST ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE FUEL TANKS FOUND ONLY RESIDUAL FUEL REMAINING. AN FAA OPERATIONS INSPECTOR CALCULATED AN ENDURANCE OF 4.5 HOURS POSSIBLE. THE TOTAL ELAPSED TACHOMETER TIME WAS 5.0 HOURS. THE PILOT SAID HE RAN OUT OF FUEL IN A POST CRASH INTERVIEW.
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: 140 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,686 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 3, 1993
- Maximum gross weight: 2,700 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300-C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 022 Columbia CA at 7:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.