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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 25, 1994 · Cessna 172D · N2830U

Alabaster, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 25, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Alabaster, AL
Aircraft
Cessna 172D
Tail Number
N2830U
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL94LA177

AS THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED THROUGH 100 FEET, THE PILOT WATCHED THE ENGINE RPM DROP FROM 2360 TO 1700. AFTER ATTEMPTS TO RESTORE FULL POWER FAILED, THE PILOT LOWERED FULL FLAPS AND ATTEMPTED A LANDING STRAIGHT AHEAD. THE NOSE WHEEL DUG INTO THE GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE FLIPPED INVERTED. DURING THE ENGINE EXAMINATION, WATER WAS DISCOVERED IN THE FUEL SYSTEM AND THE CARBURETOR. THE ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY THROUGH ALL POWER RANGES DURING THE FUNCTIONAL CHECK. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE POSITION OF THE AIRPLANE ON THE RAMP PREVENTED HIM FROM SUMPING THE FUEL SYSTEM PROPERLY.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY SUMP THE FUEL SYSTEM DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION THAT RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER.

Full Narrative

On September 25, 1994, at 1405 central daylight time, a Cessna 172D, N2830U, collided with the ground during a forced landing attempt at Shelby County Airport, Alabaster, Alabama. The personal flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage; the pilot and passenger were not injured. The accident occurred during the initial takeoff attempt from Alabaster. According to the pilot, as the airplane climbed through 100 feet above ground level (agl), takeoff rpm dropped to 1700 rpm. Attempts to regain full engine power failed; the pilot selected a forced landing area in the clear cut section off the departure end of the runway. During the emergency landing, the airplane bounced once and nosed over when the nose wheel dug into the soft ground. During the post-accident examination of the airplane, water was discovered in the fuel system and in the carburetor; the engine operated normally during the functional check. According to the pilot, the airplane was parked on a slope during the preflight inspection.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:05 CDT
Nearest AirportShelby County Airport (0nm)
Runway33
Runway Length3800 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172D
Tail NumberN2830U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300 · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 65 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data