Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172B near Silver Springs, NV — 2022-07-07

Final reportWPR22LA246
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Date
2022-07-07
Location
Silver Springs, NV, USA
Airport
SPZ
Aircraft
CESSNA 172B
Registration
N7609X
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.

NTSB narrative

The instructional flight was returning to the airport when the engine rpm began to fluctuate, followed by backfiring. The pilot completed the emergency loss of engine power checklist. Unable to maintain altitude, the flight instructor assumed control of the airplane and performed an off-airport landing on open desert terrain. During the landing roll, the nosewheel collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage’s undercarriage. The engine and various instruments and components were removed from the airplane before the airplane was recovered, which prevented examination of the engine and related systems to determine the cause of the loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the approach after initial engine backfiring.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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