Accident Cessna 172M N20889, Thursday 23 January 1986

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Date:	Thursday 23 January 1986
Time:	18:00 LT
Type:	Cessna 172M
Owner/operator:	Robert Harriss
Registration:	N20889
MSN:	17263866
Total airframe hrs:	2265 hours
Engine model:	Continental O-320-EZD
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Mcallen, TX - United States of America
Phase:	Approach
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Rancho Tancasiv, TX
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TWO TREES DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE ENG LOST PWR. THE PLT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF LNDG AT AN ARPT WHEN THE CONTROLLER ASKED HIM TO MAKE A 360 TURN BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC AND TO USE RWY 13 INSTEAD OF 18. AS THE PLT TURNED RT FOR A NEW BASE LEG THE ENG STOPPED. THE PLT NEVER ADVISED THE TWR OF A LOW FUEL STATE OR ASKED FOR EMERGENCY PRIORITY LNDG. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENG AND LNDED IN A WOODED AREA. THE CRASH RUPTURED THE FUEL LINES BUT THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILLAGE OR FUEL IN ANY OF THE ACFT TANKS.

Probable Cause:

Accident investigation: