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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

May 10, 2022 · Cessna 172S · N184NW

Traverse City, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 10, 2022
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Traverse City, MI
Aircraft
Cessna 172S (2010)
Tail Number
N184NW
Operator
Northwestern Michigan College
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN22LA194

The pilot receiving instruction was on a visual approach to the runway during an instructional flight, at which time the engine lost total power. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and made multiple attempts to restart the engine, which were unsuccessful. The flight instructor declared an emergency and executed a forced landing to a park area about 1 mile north of the runway. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted terrain and a perimeter fence. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the right wing and engine mount. Examination of the engine and fuel system revealed a loose “B” nut fitting on the fuel line between the fuel injector and fuel manifold. The engine had recently been installed by maintenance personnel; the airplane had flown about 2.7 hours after the installation and before the accident. There was no visible impact damage to the “B” nut on the line or the fitting. Given this evidence, the “B” nut on the fuel line was likely not properly tightened during engine installation, which allowed the nut to loosen with normal engine vibration and allowed air to enter the system which resulted in total loss of engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of maintenance personnel to properly torque a fuel line “B” nut, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

On May 10, 2022, about 1726 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172S airplane, N184NW, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Cherry Capital Airport (TVC), Traverse City, Michigan. The flight instructor and the pilot receiving instruction were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. According to Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) representatives, the pilot receiving instruction was operating the airplane as part of the college flight school program. When the flight was on a visual approach to runway 18 at TVC the engine lost total power. The flight instructor took control of the flight and made multiple attempts to restart the engine, which were unsuccessful. The flight instructor declared an emergency and executed a forced landing to a park area about 1 mile north of the runway. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted terrain and a perimeter fence. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the right wing and engine mount. Examination of the engine and fuel system revealed a loose “B” nut fitting on the fuel line between the fuel injector and fuel manifold (see the figure below). There was no visible impact damage to the “B” nut or the fitting. Figure. Loose “B” nut with fuel leaking from the fuel line (Source: Federal Aviation Administration). NMC representatives stated that the airplane had flown for about 2.7 hours since the time that the engine was installed by NMC maintenance personnel.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:26 EDT
Nearest Airport1nm N
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172S
Tail NumberN184NW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorNorthwestern Michigan College
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-L2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 24 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 20 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 11 kt, gusting 18 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.99 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data