Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172L near Richmond, VA — 2023-10-21

Final reportERA24LA016
Sign in to save
Date
2023-10-21
Location
Richmond, VA, USA
Airport
OFP
Aircraft
CESSNA 172L
Registration
N7716G
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The loss of engine power due to a restriction of fuel flow as a result of a fractured float bracket in the carburetor.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor reported that the flight was intended to review maneuvers. On the return to their home airport, the engine lost power. The instructor performed an emergency landing in a field where the airplane’s right wing sustained substantial damage when it struck a tree. The postaccident examination of the engine revealed that a float bracket within the carburetor fractured due to cyclic fatigue. This failure would have resulted in a restriction of fuel flow, and the loss of engine power described by the flight instructor. The fracture originated at the bracket’s interior edge with no other anomalies noted.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Conducting a thorough preflight inspection of the carburetor and its components.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

Related mishaps