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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

February 15, 2007 · Cessna 172B · N2629U

Stephenville, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 15, 2007
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Stephenville, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 172B
Tail Number
N2629U
Operator
David E Earley Jr
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DFW07CA070

The private pilot reported a loss of engine power when he reduced power during the landing approach. He was unable to restart the engine, and realized he would not be able to glide to the airport. He made a forced landing in a field, but collided with trees prior to landing. The airplane's right wing separated from the fuselage, and the airplane came to rest inverted. In the pilot's report to the NTSB, he checked the block "Was there mechanical malfunction/failure?" as "Unknown." In the recommendations section of the report, he wrote: "I believe I had carb ice-I think if I would not have reduced power to idle this would have prevented the accident." The temperature and dew point in the vicinity of the accident site were 28F and 19F, respectively. An icing probability chart indicates that this combination is likely to produce moderate carburetor icing at idle power.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power during the landing approach due to the pilot's failure to follow the appropriate procedures to preclude carburetor ice in known carburetor icing conditions.

Full Narrative

The airplane collided with trees during a forced landing to a pasture following a reported loss of engine power while on a visual approach to the destination airport. The 241-hour private pilot reported in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report) that following a 10-minute flight covering 12-nautical miles to his destination airport; he turned onto the final approach course and pulled back the throttle to idle power in order to lose altitude. Upon retarding the throttle, the engine lost power; however, the pilot was able to attempt two restarts without success. At this point, the pilot realized he would not be able to make it to the airport and executed a 180-degree turn toward a nearby small pasture. The single-engine airplane was not able to clear the mature trees at the edge of the pasture and the airplane impacted the trees approximately 2 miles south of the airport. The airplane came to rest in the inverted position with the right wing and right cabin door separated from the aircraft. There was no post crash fire and the pilot was able to exit the airplane through the left cabin door sustaining minor injuries. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that responded to the accident site noted that there was no water present in the fuel lines and that both fuel tanks were empty on inspection. The pilot reported that during his preflight inspection, he measured the fuel on each fuel cell and estimated to have approximately 4 gallons in each tank. In the recommendation block of the completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot attributes the loss of engine power to carburetor ice. Weather at the time of the accident was reported as winds from 340 degrees at 9 knots, 7 statute miles visibility, broken clouds at 1,900 feet above ground level, and a temperature of 28 degrees Fahrenheit.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 CST
Nearest AirportClark Field Municipal (2nm)
Runway32
Runway Length4200 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172B
Tail NumberN2629U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDavid E Earley Jr
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300 · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point28 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time16:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data