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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 11, 2023 · Cessna 172H · N2554L

Charles Town, WV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 11, 2023
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Charles Town, WV
Aircraft
Cessna 172H (1967)
Tail Number
N2554L
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA23LA190

While en route to the destination airport, the engine began “sputtering.” The pilot reported that the mixture was in the full rich position and he applied carburetor heat; however, the engine did not regain full power. He performed a forced landing to a field and during the landing the nose landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. During the recovery of the airplane, 5 gallons of fuel was noted in the right fuel tank and 10 gallons of fuel was noted in the left fuel tank. A postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation; 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 April 11, 2023, about 1711 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N2554L, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Charles Town, West Virginia. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, they departed from Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport/Shepherd Field (MRB), Martinsburg, West Virginia, and flew to Winchester Regional Airport (OKV), Winchester, Virginia. On their return flight to MRB at 2,000 ft mean sea level (msl), the engine lost partial power. The pilot stated that the engine was “sputtering in and out.” The mixture was in the full rich position and he applied carburetor heat; however, the engine did not regain full power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field and during the landing the nose landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. During the recovery of the airplane, 5 gallons of fuel was noted in the right fuel tank and 10 gallons of fuel was noted in the left fuel tank. About 1653, the weather reported at MRB, about 11 miles northwest of the accident site, included a temperature of 23°C and a dew point of -5°C. The calculated relative humidity at this temperature and dewpoint was less than 20%. Review of the icing probability chart contained within Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 revealed the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were not conducive to icing. An examination of the airplane revealed that fuel was plumbed into the right- and left-wing fuel tanks and flowed to the carburetor without anomaly. The engine remained attached to the fuselage through the engine mounts. Crankshaft and valvetrain continuity were confirmed by rotating the propeller by hand through 720° of rotation. Compression was confirmed on all cylinders. The magnetos produced spark on all leads. The carburetor was examined and no anomalies were noted. The oil filter was examined and was not obstructed. There were no anomalies found with the engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:11 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172H
Tail NumberN2554L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300 · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 19 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point23 F
Altimeter30.08 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data