Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172D near Durango, CO — 2010-10-03

Final reportCEN11LA001
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Date
2010-10-03
Location
Durango, CO, USA
Airport
00C
Aircraft
CESSNA 172D
Registration
N2593
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to the pilot inadvertently moving the fuel selector to the OFF position. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's unfamiliarity with this model accident airplane.

NTSB narrative

The first takeoff attempt was aborted when the passenger's door popped open. The pilot taxied back to the end of the runway, closed the door, and began the takeoff. During the second takeoff attempt, as the airplane reached about 200 feet, the engine sputtered and lost power. The pilot enriched the mixture and applied carburetor heat, and the engine sputtered and lost power a second time. The pilot said that, during the forced landing, he shut the fuel off and turned off the master switch before the airplane impacted a dry river bottom. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector was found in the BOTH position at the accident site, even though the pilot reported he shut the fuel off prior to impact. The engine was test run to full power, and no anomalies were noted. It is likely that the pilot inadvertently turned off the fuel before the last takeoff, particularly since he was unfamiliar with this model of airplane.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to fly his own airplane instead of the rental.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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