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NTSB Report
December 26, 1985 · Cessna 172 · N7300A
Kings Mountain, NC
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 26, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Kings Mountain, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N7300A
Operator
Myron P Lipe
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL86LA048
THE ACFT HAD BEEN MOORED ON AN OPEN RAMP IN EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERTURES. DURING PREFLIGHT THE PLT FOUND THAT THE FUEL STRAINER DRAIN WOULD NOT CLOSE AND ONE WING TANK DRAIN WOULD NOT OPEN. A MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE LEAKING STRAINER BUT COULD NOT STOP FUEL FROM FLOWING BY USE OF THE SELECTOR VALVE. A PLUG WAS PLACED IN THE STRAINER TO MINIMIZE THE LEAK AND THE PLT DECIDED TO FLY TO HIS HOMEBASE TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. ABOUT 15 MINUTES INTO THE FLT, THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER REQUIRING A FORCED LANDING. INSPECTION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM INDICATED THE PRESENCE OF WATER IN THE SELECTOR VALVE.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT HAD BEEN MOORED ON AN OPEN RAMP IN EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERTURES. DURING PREFLIGHT THE PLT FOUND THAT THE FUEL STRAINER DRAIN WOULD NOT CLOSE AND ONE WING TANK DRAIN WOULD NOT OPEN. A MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE LEAKING STRAINER BUT COULD NOT STOP FUEL FROM FLOWING BY USE OF THE SELECTOR VALVE. A PLUG WAS PLACED IN THE STRAINER TO MINIMIZE THE LEAK AND THE PLT DECIDED TO FLY TO HIS HOMEBASE TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. ABOUT 15 MINUTES INTO THE FLT, THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER REQUIRING A FORCED LANDING. INSPECTION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM INDICATED THE PRESENCE OF WATER IN THE SELECTOR VALVE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN7300A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMyron P Lipe
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-A · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point19 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO