A Ferry Flight Ends in Tragedy
On January 27, 2018, a Cessna 172F (N8559U) on a ferry flight crashed near Williamsport, Indiana, killing the commercial pilot on board. The flight, which began at Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK) in Columbus, Ohio, was bound for Vermilion Regional Airport (DNV) in Danville, Illinois.
The aircraft ran out of fuel just nine miles from its destination, forcing the pilot into an emergency descent in the darkness of night. Without power, the Cessna collided with trees and crashed, destroying the plane and killing the sole occupant.
What went wrong? How did a commercially rated pilot mismanage fuel to the point of disaster?
The Flight: A Routine Ferry Gone Wrong
🔹 Aircraft: Cessna 172F
🔹 Registration: N8559U
🔹 Operator: Kilo Aviation, LLC
🔹 Flight Type: Ferry Flight (relocating an aircraft for its new owner)
🔹 Pilot: 68-year-old commercial pilot
🔹 Flight Route: Columbus, OH (LCK) → Danville, IL (DNV)
🔹 Flight Time: ~3 hours, 51 minutes
The ferry flight was meant to be simple: Pick up the aircraft in Virginia, refuel along the way, and deliver it to its new owner in Illinois.
After a stop at Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK), the pilot refueled with 31 gallons of fuel and departed at 9:30 PM.
With an estimated endurance of 3.7 hours, he should have had just enough fuel to reach Danville. But as the flight neared its destination, disaster struck.
The Final Moments: A Silent Engine and a Deadly Descent
At 1:20 AM, the Cessna was only nine miles from its destination when it ran out of fuel. The aircraft:
The wreckage was found inverted in a wooded area, with both fuel tanks completely empty. The lack of damage to the propeller confirmed the engine was not running at impact.
What Went Wrong?
The NTSB investigation identified the probable cause:
👉 “The pilot’s mismanagement of fuel, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and descent and collision with trees.”
Here’s how the accident unfolded:
1️⃣ Misjudging Fuel Endurance – The Cessna had an estimated 3.7 hours of endurance with full tanks. The flight lasted 3 hours and 51 minutes—cutting it dangerously close to empty.
2️⃣ No Fuel Reserves – The FAA requires at least 30 minutes of reserve fuel for day VFR flights and 45 minutes for night VFR. This pilot had zero reserves.
3️⃣ Lack of an Alternate Plan – The pilot did not divert to an alternate airport when fuel levels were low.
4️⃣ Darkness and Disorientation – The crash occurred at night in a wooded area, making it harder to execute an emergency landing.
The Pilot: Experience vs. Judgment
The 68-year-old commercial pilot had:
✈️ 1,000 total flight hours
✈️ 100 hours in the Cessna 172
✈️ 15 hours in the last 90 days
Despite being qualified, his fuel planning and decision-making failed when it mattered most.
Safety Lessons: How to Prevent Fuel Exhaustion
✅ Always Fly with a Fuel Reserve
- FAA regulations require at least 45 minutes of fuel for night flights.
- Running out of fuel should never happen in a well-planned flight.
✅ Plan for Diversions
- If fuel runs low, land at the nearest airport instead of trying to push forward.
- It’s better to stop for fuel than to risk a forced landing.
✅ Trust the Gauges, But Verify
- Know your aircraft’s real-world fuel consumption, not just the book values.
- Fuel gauges can be unreliable, so pilots should cross-check fuel consumption and time flown.
✅ Don’t Rely on “Just Enough” Fuel
- A common mistake in ferry flights is trying to stretch fuel limits—it’s not worth the risk.
- This pilot had no room for error, which proved fatal.
✅ Make the Tough Decision Early
- If you suspect fuel is low, divert immediately. Waiting too long can leave you without options.
Final Thoughts
This accident was entirely preventable. It wasn’t due to mechanical failure, weather, or bad luck—just a simple failure in fuel management.
This tragedy serves as a reminder to all pilots: Fuel mismanagement is a leading cause of preventable crashes. Running out of fuel is never an option—planning, discipline, and situational awareness are key to a safe flight.
