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February 10, 2019 · Cessna 172 E · N7414N

Lignum, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 10, 2019
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Lignum, VA
Aircraft
Cessna 172 E (1964)
Tail Number
N7414N
Operator
Airport Services
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA19TA098

During the instructional flight, the flight instructor was demonstrating power-off stalls at an altitude of 3,000 ft above mean sea level (msl). During recovery from a stall, as the instructor applied engine power, the engine did not respond and subsequently lost all power. The instructor attempted to restart the engine and performed a forced landing to a rural highway, during which the airplane impacted a telephone pole and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. Examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airframe or engine. No anomalies were noted during a subsequent test run of the engine. A review of the weather conditions as reported at the surface level and a numerical model of conditions at 3,000 ft msl revealed that carburetor icing was not likely. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Engine (reciprocating)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined

Full Narrative

On February 10, 2019, at 1607 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172, N7414N, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lignum, Virginia. The flight instructor and front seat student pilot were not injured, and the rear seat student pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. According to the instructor, the flight departed about 1541 with 15 gallons of fuel in each wing tank (30 total gallons). About 30 minutes after takeoff, after performing clearing turns, steep turns, and slow flight, the instructor set up and performed a power-off stall, after which, just as the throttle was moved to the full power position, the engine failed to respond. The instructor confirmed via the tachometer that the engine was not producing power and took control of the airplane. The propeller initially windmilled and then came to a stop. She selected a field for landing and performed the engine failure checklist. She attempted to restart the engine twice but was unsuccessful. As she approached the field for landing, she determined that it would not be suitable due to standing water in the field and instead chose to land on a rural highway. Shortly after landing, the right wing impacted a telephone pole, the airplane turned 90° to the right, and the left wingtip impacted the ground. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that all major components of the airplane were present at the accident site. The right wing was bent upward outboard of the wing strut, with leading edge damage forward of the aileron. The left wing was substantially damaged and bent upward outboard of the aileron. The fuselage was buckled on the right side at the right-wing root area. Fuel with a blue tint was present in both the left and right fuel tanks and the gascolator. The throttle, mixture, and carburetor heat controls were intact and continuous from the cockpit controls to the engine. Fluid could be heard flowing as the throttle was moved forward, consistent with the accelerator pump operating. The primer operated normally with no leaks observed. The carburetor heat actuator and door moved freely, and all ductwork from the exhaust to the carburetor was intact. The following day the FAA inspector successfully started and operated the engine, which remained installed in the airplane with the complete fuel system (and remaining fuel) still intact. He operated the engine through the normal runup procedure and up to full power, with no anomalies noted. A review of weather observations from a nearby airport, carburetor icing charts, and a High-Resolution Rapid Refresh numerical model of weather conditions revealed a low probability of carburetor icing at the surface and at an altitude of 3,000 ft msl.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:07 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 E
Tail NumberN7414N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAirport Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300A · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 47 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 14 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 11000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 12 C
Altimeter30.47 inHg
Observation Time20:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data