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NTSB Report
February 26, 1988 · Cessna 172 · N738MX
North Hanover, NJ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 26, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
North Hanover, NJ
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N738MX
Operator
Mistral Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC88LA094
THE ENG LOST POWER WHILE THE ACFT WAS CIRCLING AT APRX 1500 FT AGL & THE OCCUPANTS WERE ENGAGED IN AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A SWAMPY AREA. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE LEFT TANK WAS EMPTY. THE RIGHT TANK HAD AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF FUEL WHICH APPEARED TO BE MORE THAN USABLE FUEL; HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT WAS RESTING ON THE GROUND, RIGHT WING LOW. THE PILOT OPERATING HANDBOOK CONTAINED A NOTE ABOUT FLYING WITH THE SELECTOR ON BOTH. IT STATED 'UNEQUAL FUEL FLOW FROM EACH TANK MAY OCCUR IF THE WINGS ARE NOT MAINTAINED EXACTLY LEVEL. RESULTING WING HEAVINESS CAN BE ALLEVIATED GRADUALLY BY TURNING THE SELECTOR VALVE HANDLE TO THE TANK IN THE 'HEAVY' WING.' THE ACFT HAD BEEN 'TOPPED' WITH FUEL PRIOR TO THE FLT & HAD FLOWN 3.5 HRS.
Full Narrative
THE ENG LOST POWER WHILE THE ACFT WAS CIRCLING AT APRX 1500 FT AGL & THE OCCUPANTS WERE ENGAGED IN AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A SWAMPY AREA. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE LEFT TANK WAS EMPTY. THE RIGHT TANK HAD AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF FUEL WHICH APPEARED TO BE MORE THAN USABLE FUEL; HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT WAS RESTING ON THE GROUND, RIGHT WING LOW. THE PILOT OPERATING HANDBOOK CONTAINED A NOTE ABOUT FLYING WITH THE SELECTOR ON BOTH. IT STATED 'UNEQUAL FUEL FLOW FROM EACH TANK MAY OCCUR IF THE WINGS ARE NOT MAINTAINED EXACTLY LEVEL. RESULTING WING HEAVINESS CAN BE ALLEVIATED GRADUALLY BY TURNING THE SELECTOR VALVE HANDLE TO THE TANK IN THE 'HEAVY' WING.' THE ACFT HAD BEEN 'TOPPED' WITH FUEL PRIOR TO THE FLT & HAD FLOWN 3.5 HRS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:05 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN738MX
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMistral Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 36 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO