Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172S near Syracuse, UT — 2011-08-02

Final reportWPR11LA362
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Date
2011-08-02
Location
Syracuse, UT, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 172S
Registration
N235GW
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The failure of the maintenance technicians who installed the engine to properly tighten the fuel injection servo to a spider supply line, which caused a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during cruise flight, the engine started running rough and began losing power. The pilot manipulated the throttle and mixture controls, but the engine continued losing power. All engine power was lost on approach during the forced landing to an alfalfa field, and the airplane nosed over during the landing roll. The engine had received a factory major overhaul and was installed in the airplane about 14 operational hours before the accident. Since installation, it had not received any maintenance. Postaccident examination of the engine found that the B-nut fitting on the fuel supply hose that goes from the fuel injection servo to the distribution spider was loose, which caused a fuel starvation-induced loss of engine power. No other mechanical malfunctions or failures were identified that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have opted for an earlier landing attempt or diversion.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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