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January 20, 2005 · Cessna 172F · N8203U

Sallisaw, OK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 20, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Sallisaw, OK
Aircraft
Cessna 172F
Tail Number
N8203U
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DFW05LA067

A commercial pilot departed on a cross-country flight. The pilot reported that he was at an altitude of 3,500 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL), at a low cruise power setting, when "the engine began running rough". The pilot stated that he checked the mixture, fuel selector, magneto switch, and then applied carburetor heat. The engine continued to run rough until "it quit," at approximately 600 ft above ground level (AGL). During the forced landing in a field, the airplane impacted a barbed wire fence and hit a small tree. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On January 20, 2005, approximately 1415 central standard time, a Cessna 172F, single-engine airplane, N8203U, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while in cruise flight. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the personal flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The local flight originated from the Tahlequah Municipal Airport (TQH), near Tahlequah, Oklahoma, at an unknown time, destined for Sallisaw Municipal Airport (JSV) near Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Despite repeated attempts by the Investigator-In-Charge (IIC), the pilot never returned a completed Pilot Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). However, in a written statement submitted by the pilot to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector shortly after the accident, the pilot reported that he was at an altitude of 3,500 feet mean sea level (MSL), approximately 10 miles northeast of Sallisaw, at a low cruise power setting, when "the engine began running rough". The pilot stated that he checked the mixture, fuel selector, magneto switch, and then applied carburetor heat. The engine continued to run rough until "it quit," at approximately 600 ft above ground level (AGL). During the landing roll, the airplane impacted a barbed-wire fence and hit a small tree. An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed structural damage to the inboard section of the left wing and flap area, the outboard leading edge of the left wing, the outboard section of the right wing, and the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator. Additional damage to the wing strut, spinner/propeller assembly, and engine cowling was observed. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. At 1355, the automated weather observing system at JSV, located approximately 3 miles southwest of the accident site, reported wind from 220 degrees at 7 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, a clear sky, temperature 68 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 39 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.97 inches of Mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 CST
Nearest Airport2nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172F
Tail NumberN8203U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-C · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNr
Wind220° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 39 C
Altimeter29.96 inHg
Observation Time20:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data