Cessna 175 accident near Palm Springs, California, November 4, 1993
On November 4, 1993, a Cessna 175, registered N7646M, was substantially damaged in an accident near Palm Springs, California. 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
fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to adequately monitor the fuel consumption during the flight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 4, 1993
- Place
- Palm Springs, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 175 · all 175s on the register
- Registration
- N7646M · no longer on the register · serial 55946
- 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 the aircraft was descending toward Palm Springs after an uneventful 3 hour 13 minute flight. He stated that both wing fuel tanks were filled to capacity before departure. About eight miles from the airport as the aircraft descended through about 8,000 feet, the engine stopped. The pilot set up a best-glide configuration; however, landed short of the airport in soft sand. When the nose gear touched down, the nose gear collapsed and the aircraft nosed over. Examination of the site revealed no fuel spill on the ground under the aircraft, and no fuel stains were noted around the tank caps or vents. Total fuel system continuity was established from the tanks to the engine. One-quarter of a gallon of fuel was drained from the left tank while less than five gallons were drained from the right tank. According to the aircraft owners manual, each wing fuel tank has a 26 gallon capacity, 21 of which is usable.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 3,000 hours in all; 250 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 3,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,690 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 4, 1993; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental GO-300A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 307 Hollister CA at 9:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 10°F (-12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
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.