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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

December 7, 2012 · Cessna 172M · N172BJ

Arcola, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 7, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Arcola, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N172BJ
Operator
Dutch Wings
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN13LA104

The pilot said that the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power while climbing through 500 feet above ground level. The flight instructor took the controls and performed a landing on a freshly plowed field, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. Postaccident examination of the engine and associated components did not reveal any mechanical failure. The examination revealed that the right fuel tank contained about one gallon of fuel and the left fuel tank was almost full. The master switch was in the on position, the key switch was in the off position, and the fuel selector was in the off position. The airplane was fueled before the flight, but the reason for the fuel imbalance between fuel tanks could not be determined. It is unknown if the fuel selector was on the left tank during the flight and then placed in the off position after the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Full Narrative

On December 7, 2012, about 1457 central standard time, a Cessna 172M, N172BJ, experienced a total loss of engine power after takeoff from Houston Southwest Airport (AXH), Arcola, Texas. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field. The airplane nosed over and impacted terrain during the landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and vertical stabilizer. The flight instructor and an a private pilot were uninjured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Dutch Wings LLC (dba Dutch Wings Flight School) under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed for the flight that was originating at the time of the accident. The flight instructor stated that the private pilot performed a preflight of the airplane and had the airplane fueled. Fuel samples from the airplane fuel drains were free of contaminants. There were no abnormalities with the airplane during taxi to the runway or the engine runup. After takeoff, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power while climbing through about 500 feet above ground level. The flight instructor took the flight controls and performed a forced landing on a freshly plowed field where the airplane nosed-over. Examination of the airplane revealed that the right fuel tank contained about one gallon of fuel and the left fuel tank was approximately full. The gascolator was full of fuel and the fuel line from the gascolator to the carburetor did not contain fuel. There was no fuel contamination present. Examination of the magnetos and carburetor, which were overhauled in 2010, did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The master switch was in the on position, the key switch was in the off position, and the fuel selector was in the off position. The engine was rotated and cylinder compression and engine continuity was noted.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:57 CST
Nearest AirportHouston Southwest Airport (1nm)
Runway09
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN172BJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDutch Wings
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 28 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 57 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.81 inHg
Observation Time21:41
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data