Cessna 172K accident near Ocean Springs, Mississippi, September 19, 2003
On September 19, 2003 at about 4:55 pm local time, a Cessna 172K, registered N79491, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ocean Springs, Mississippi. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the pilot to transfer fuel from the auxiliary fuel tank to the right main fuel tank in-flight resulting in total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 19, 2003 · about 4:55 pm local time
- Place
- Ocean Springs, Mississippi · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172K · all 172Ks on the register
- Registration
- N79491 · no longer on the register · serial 17258128
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that he flew the accident airplane 2 days before the accident date for approximately 4.0 hours and after landing, the airplane was serviced. He also flew the accident airplane the day before the accident date a total of 5.5 hours; after landing a total of 37.0 gallons of fuel were added to the fuel tanks. On the morning of the accident, he arrived at the departure airport about 0800, and departed about 0905. Approximately 1 hour 25 minutes after takeoff (about 1030), he began transferring fuel from the auxiliary fuel tank. The flight continued and at about 1140, he proceeded to return to the departure airport for shift change. Approximately 15 minutes later, he experienced, "engine trouble" which consisted of, "spitting and sputtering." He switched the fuel selector back and forth numerous times with no response, along with switching the electric fuel transfer switch on and off, with no effect. He reported the fuel transfer switch had been on since 1030 hours. He initiated emergency procedures, ditched the airplane which went inverted after touchdown, and exited the airplane. The pilot reported to FAA personnel that he believed there was a malfunction with the auxiliary fuel tank pump which transfers fuel to the right fuel tank. Examination of the airplane the day after the accident by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed both fuel tanks contained approximately 1/4 quart of fuel; the fuel drained from the left tank was reported to be cloudy, while approximately 1/2 quart of water was also drained from the right fuel tank. The gascolator was noted to have a thimbleful of clean fuel. The installed auxiliary fuel tank which was installed in accordance with a Supplemental Type Certificate in December 1989, was noted to be nearly full of fuel. Operational testing of the auxiliary fuel tank pump was successful; the pump transferred approximately 15 gallons of fuel into the right fuel tank in about a 3-hour period. According to the STC holder, the transfer pump is designed to transfer 8-gallons of fuel per hour into the right main fuel tank.
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: single-engine land
- Flight time: 30,000 hours in all; 300 in the last 90 days; 100 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: April 10, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,724.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 11, 2003
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KPQL Pascagoula MS at 2:05 pm
- Destination: KPQL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from KPQL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.