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May 26, 1986 · Cessna 172M · N13650

Cairo, NY

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 26, 1986
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Cairo, NY
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N13650
Operator
A & L Sport Haven
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC86FA138

WITNESSES SAW BLACK SMOKE TRAILING THE ACFT SHORTLY AFTER IT BECAME AIRBORNE ABOUT 50 FT ABOVE THE RWY. SHORTLY AFTERWARD, A LOSS OF POWER LOSS OCCURRED. THE ACFT DESCENDED AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE RWY IS 2,700 FT LONG AND SURROUNDED BY TREES. THE ACFT CAME TO REST TO THE LEFT OF AND NEAR THE END OF RWY 14. EXAM OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED THAT A PIECE OF THE MOUNTING GASKET FOR THE CARB AIR FILTER, A NON-CESSNA FOUR PIECE PART, WAS LODGED IN THE VENTURI SECTION OF THE CARBURETOR. ALSO REVEALED WAS THAT THE CARBURETOR FLOAT WAS NOT BUOYANT AND RESULTED IN ENGINE FUEL FLOODING. THE ACFT WAS USING AUTOMOTIVE FUEL.

Full Narrative

WITNESSES SAW BLACK SMOKE TRAILING THE ACFT SHORTLY AFTER IT BECAME AIRBORNE ABOUT 50 FT ABOVE THE RWY. SHORTLY AFTERWARD, A LOSS OF POWER LOSS OCCURRED. THE ACFT DESCENDED AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE RWY IS 2,700 FT LONG AND SURROUNDED BY TREES. THE ACFT CAME TO REST TO THE LEFT OF AND NEAR THE END OF RWY 14. EXAM OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED THAT A PIECE OF THE MOUNTING GASKET FOR THE CARB AIR FILTER, A NON-CESSNA FOUR PIECE PART, WAS LODGED IN THE VENTURI SECTION OF THE CARBURETOR. ALSO REVEALED WAS THAT THE CARBURETOR FLOAT WAS NOT BUOYANT AND RESULTED IN ENGINE FUEL FLOODING. THE ACFT WAS USING AUTOMOTIVE FUEL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 EDT
Nearest AirportSport Haven (0nm N)
Runway14
Runway Length2700 ft
Runway Width85 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN13650
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorA & L Sport Haven
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 57 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 7 kt
Visibility45 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data