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August 14, 1999 · Cessna R172-E · N667GA

Chiefland, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 14, 1999
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 minor injuries)
Location
Chiefland, FL
Aircraft
Cessna R172-E
Tail Number
N667GA
Operator
Frederick R Zeier
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL99LA116

According to the pilot, approximately two hours and 50 minutes into the cross country flight at 1500 feet msl, the fuel gauges indicated low fuel in the right tank and half fuel in the left tank. Approximately ten minutes later, the airplane lost manifold pressure with the fuel gauges indicating empty for the right tank and half fuel for the left tank. The pilot elected to land on a rural road. The airplane nosed over and came to a rest inverted substantially damaging the airplane. Examination of the wreckage revealed little evidence of fuel and revealed that the fuel line from the firewall to the input side of the gascolator was cracked.

NTSB Probable Cause

Premature fuel exhaustion due to a cracked fuel line. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the electrical service drop line, which crossed the roadway.

Full Narrative

On August 14, 1999, at 1520 eastern daylight time, a Cessna R172-E, N667GA, struck a cable and collided with a fence during an emergency landing following a loss of engine power in Chiefland, Florida. The airplane was operated by the private pilot under the provision of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident with a flight plan filed. The pilot and three passengers received minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane departed Dobbins AFB, Georgia, at 1230. According to the pilot, due to the heat of the day, the airplane's normal performance was reduced, and the airplane could only climb to 5500 feet mean sea level (msl). As the flight progressed, the ceiling progressively lowered and he descended to avoid clouds, leveling off at 1500 feet msl. The pilot stated that approximately three minutes north of the Cross City VOR, the fuel gauges indicated low fuel in the right tank and half fuel in the left tank. The airplane had been in flight for two hours and 50 minutes, and the pilot believed he had a half tank of fuel and that the right tank fuel gauge was defective. Ten minutes south of the Cross City VOR the pilot stated that he lost manifold pressure, and the fuel gauges for the right tank indicated empty while the left tank indicated half fuel. However, he said the fuel pressure was still in operating range and the RPM was at 2400. The pilot said that he went through the engine restart emergency procedures that included, applying full throttle, and full rich mixture. He pulled carburetor heat and noted that the carburetor heat cable came loose from the control panel. The pilot elected to make a forced landing on a rural road. During the approach, at about 25 feet above the ground the vertical stabilizer struck an electrical service drop line which crossed the roadway from West to East. The impact partially separated the vertical stabilizer. The airplane touched down and departed the road, striking a barbed wire fence with the nose wheel. The airplane nosed over and came to a rest inverted substantially damaging the airplane. Examination of the wreckage by the FAA found a small quantity of fuel in the right fuel tank and no fuel in the left fuel tank. There was no fuel found in the gascolator, and only a small amount of fuel was found in the fuel line coming from the gascolator. There was also no evidence of a fuel leakage around the accident site. Further examination revealed that the fuel line from the firewall to the input side of the gascolator was cracked.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:20 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna R172-E
Tail NumberN667GA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFrederick R Zeier
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor4
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind6 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data