Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172N near Long Beach, CA — 2013-09-09

Final reportWPR13LA402
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Date
2013-09-09
Location
Long Beach, CA, USA
Airport
LGB
Aircraft
CESSNA 172N
Registration
N42EP
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power during initial climb due to debris within the carburetor mixture metering sleeve.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, following a touch-and-go landing, he began a normal climb. Shortly after, the engine "sputtered" and lost power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to the remaining runway. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard and then came to rest upright. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed pliable debris, similar to silicone, within the carburetor mixture metering sleeve, which would have restricted the fuel flow and produced a lean fuel-air mixture and resulted in the loss of engine power. The source of the debris could not be determined. No additional evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure was found that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked engine performance before takeoff after recent maintenance.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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