Pilot Debrief

CESSNA P172D near Prescott, AZ — 2022-05-22

Final reportWPR22LA186
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Date
2022-05-22
Location
Prescott, AZ, USA
Airport
PRC
Aircraft
CESSNA P172D
Registration
N8540X
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

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

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff the airplane’s engine suddenly lost power. Despite his efforts, the engine would not restart. Subsequently, the pilot initiated a forced landing in a field and, during the landing roll, the airplane impacted a tree stump, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. During a postaccident airframe and engine examination, the engine rotated freely, and all cylinders had compression and proper valve movement. The engine was started and run at various power settings, with no anomalies noted. No evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures was found that would have precluded normal operation. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were not conducive to carburetor icing at cruise power, and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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