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NTSB Report
October 3, 1987 · Cessna 172F · N5647R
Grand Bay, AL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 3, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Grand Bay, AL
Aircraft
Cessna 172F
Tail Number
N5647R
Operator
Allen Sykes
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL88LA002
THE ENGINE LOST PWR SHORTLY AFTER T/O. THE ENGINE REGAINED PWR AS THE PLT WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A FORCED LDG IN A FIELD. HE ABORTED THE LDG ATTEMPT AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE AIRSTRIP. THE ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY LOST PWR AGAIN. THE PLT STRETCHED HIS GLIDE TO AVOID IMPACTING TREES, AND INSUFFICIENT AIRSPEED REMAINED TO FLARE THE ACFT PRIOR TO LDG IN ANOTHER FIELD. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE LT FUEL TANK GAUGE INDICATED 'EMPTY' AND THE RT TANK GAUGE INDICATED '1/4' FULL AFTER THE ENGINE INITIALLY LOST PWR. HE NOTED THAT THE FUEL SLECTOR WAS IN THE 'BOTH' POSITION AT THE TIME. POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE ACFT BY ANOTHER PLT REVEALED THAT THE LT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND THAT THE RT TANK CONTAINED ABOUT A PINT OF FUEL.
Full Narrative
THE ENGINE LOST PWR SHORTLY AFTER T/O. THE ENGINE REGAINED PWR AS THE PLT WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A FORCED LDG IN A FIELD. HE ABORTED THE LDG ATTEMPT AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE AIRSTRIP. THE ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY LOST PWR AGAIN. THE PLT STRETCHED HIS GLIDE TO AVOID IMPACTING TREES, AND INSUFFICIENT AIRSPEED REMAINED TO FLARE THE ACFT PRIOR TO LDG IN ANOTHER FIELD. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE LT FUEL TANK GAUGE INDICATED 'EMPTY' AND THE RT TANK GAUGE INDICATED '1/4' FULL AFTER THE ENGINE INITIALLY LOST PWR. HE NOTED THAT THE FUEL SLECTOR WAS IN THE 'BOTH' POSITION AT THE TIME. POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE ACFT BY ANOTHER PLT REVEALED THAT THE LT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND THAT THE RT TANK CONTAINED ABOUT A PINT OF FUEL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:25 CDT
Nearest AirportCutts Field (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172F
Tail NumberN5647R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAllen Sykes
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO