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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 24, 2003 · Cessna 172H · N8226L

Red Wing, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 24, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Red Wing, MN
Aircraft
Cessna 172H
Tail Number
N8226L
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI03LA223

The airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with a localizer antenna and terrain during a forced landing following an in-flight loss of engine power on initial climb. An examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuel selector valve handle was set to the right fuel tank. The right fuel tank was empty. The left fuel tank contained about five gallons of fuel. There was no sign of a fuel spill at the scene. The engine produced a thumb compression at all cylinders. Both magnetos sparked. Removed spark plugs exhibited a light gray color. The engine was not test run. The student pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions during the flight. A checklist from the airplane stated, "BEFORE TAKE OFF ... Fuel Selector Valve Handle - BOTH."

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to follow the checklist resulting in fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

On July 24, 2003, about 1110 central daylight time, a Cessna 172H, N8226L, piloted by a student pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with a localizer antenna during a forced landing following an in-flight loss of engine power on initial climb out from runway 9 at Red Wing Regional Airport (RGK), near Red Wing, Minnesota. The solo instructional flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated from RGK about 1030 and was performing touch and goes at the time of the accident. The student pilot stated: I was doing touch [and] go's. I was taking off for my third touch [and] go when about 100 ft off the ground the engine sputtered. I pulled the throttle back a notch and it started going again so I slowly pushed the throttle back in [and] it died. So I decided to land the plane off of the end of the runway. I descended then realized the localizer antenna was ahead of me. So then I tried to land on the other side of it but was afraid of stalling so then I hit the antenna [and] all three wheels touched but the antenna broke the left wheel [and] the nose went into the ground. The windshield broke [and] I came to a stop. ... I departed Red Wing about 10:30 a.m. [and] was up about 1/2 hour when the engine failure occurred. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector examined the wreckage. He found the fuel selector valve handle set to the right fuel tank. The right fuel tank was empty. The left fuel tank contained about five gallons of fuel. There was no sign of a fuel spill at the scene. The engine produced a thumb compression at all cylinders. Both magnetos sparked. Removed spark plugs exhibited a light gray color. The engine was not test run. The student pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions during the flight. A checklist from the airplane stated, "BEFORE TAKE OFF ... Fuel Selector Valve Handle - BOTH."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:10 CDT
Nearest AirportRed Wing Muni (0nm W)
Runway9
Runway Length5010 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionIflt

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172H
Tail NumberN8226L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300 · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 18 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time16:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data