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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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July 21, 2019 · Cessna 172 G · N3863L

Port Townsend, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 21, 2019
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Port Townsend, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 172 G (1965)
Tail Number
N3863L
Operator
Clark Byron G
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR19LA202

During the approach for landing, the engine lost power, and the pilot completed a forced landing short of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane wreckage was sold before an examination could take place, so whether a mechanical anomaly or malfunction contributed to the accident could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available information.

Full Narrative

On July 21, 2019, about 1620 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172 airplane, N3863L, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Port Townsend, Washington. The private pilot was not injured. The two passengers received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, on the morning of the accident flight, 18 gallons of avgas was added before departing Olympia Regional Airport (OLM), Olympia, Washington, destined for Friday Harbor Airport (FHR), Friday Harbor, Washington. The pilot reported he departed with a total of 27 gallons of fuel on board. He stated that during the northbound flight, they used 0S9 as a waypoint. On the return southbound flight, the pilot planned to use 0S9 as a waypoint but decided to land at 0S9 to use the facilities and to add fuel to the airplane. While preparing the airplane for landing, the pilot flew directly over the runway from the north at 2,000 ft mean sea level (msl) with the intention of landing on runway 27. The pilot reduced engine power to begin the descent and added carburetor heat. He then circled left for a 45° entry into the downwind leg for runway 27. After he was abeam the approach end of the runway, the pilot decreased power to 1,500 rpm, deployed flaps to 10º and trimmed for 500 ft per minute descent. The engine power continued to decrease below 1,300 rpm with no abnormal noise, and, when the pilot advanced throttle, the engine suddenly quit. While preparing the airplane for the forced landing, the pilot stated that he positioned the fuel selector valve from the BOTH position to the RIGHT position, since the right tank had the most fuel indicated. He continued the forced landing to runway 27 and impacted terrain short of the approach end. The airplane came to rest nose-down, against an embankment with substantial damage to the fuselage, left wing, and engine and cowling area. First responders stated that fuel was observed leaking from the wings while they were onsite. During the recovery of the wreckage, it was noted that the right main tank and the right auxiliary tip tank were empty. The left main tank had about 32 ounces of fuel and the left auxiliary tip tank had about 8 gallons of fuel recovered. The wreckage was recovered to a secured facility but was sold before the airframe or engine could be examined by an FAA inspector or the NTSB investigator-in-charge.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:20 PDT
Nearest AirportJefferson County Intl (0nm ESE)
Runway27
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 G
Tail NumberN3863L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorClark Byron G
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300 SER · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Minor
Crew 3Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time23:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data