# Accident 20011004035189A: Cessna 172B, Phillips, ME, October 4, 2001

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 4, 2001
- Place: Phillips, ME
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 44.8522° N, 70.2833° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8522&lon=-70.2833&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7591X, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7591X-2004-04-02) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172B (registry code 2072406, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental 0-300 series (registry code 17022, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172B
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB IAD02LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD02LA001) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011004035189A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) OWNER/PILOT WAS ENROUTE FROM PITTSFIELD, ME TO NEWPORT, VT WITH PASSENGER. WHILE ENROUTE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RESTORE FULL POWER BY SWITCHING FUEL TANKS, CARB HEAT, PRIMER, ETC. PILOT EXECUTED FORCED LANDING IN WOODED AREA. AIRCRAFT IMPACTED TREES AT MINIMAL POWER, CAME TO REST AT 45 DEGREE ANGLE. PILOT SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES AND WAS TRAPPED IN WRECKAGE. PASSENGER, ALTHOUGH INJURED, WAS ABLE TO EXIT AND SUMMON ASSISTANCE. ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED WHAT APPEARED TO BE MIXTURE OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL AND AVIATION FUEL. FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR/PERSONAL FRIEND OF PILOT STATED THAT PILOT ROUTINELY MIXED AUTO FUEL, AVIATION FUEL, LEAD ADDITIVE AND OCTANE BOOSTER AS FUEL. AIRCRAFT RECORDS HAD ENTRY FOR AUTOMOTIVE FUEL STC, HOWEVER, INSPECTION OF AIRCRAFT COULD NOT PRODUCE REQUIRED PLACARDS, REQUIRED CLAMP ON PUSHROD TUBE (ENGINE) OR DOCUMENTATION FOR STC WHICH IS REQUIRED TO BE ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT WHEN AUTO FUEL IS USED. COMPRESSION CHECK (FINGER METHOD) REVEALED REASONABLE COMPRESSION ALL CYLINDERS. SPARK FROM RIGHT MAG TO ALL PLUGS. LEFT FUEL TANK HAD VENT TUBE BLOCKED BY MUD DAUBER WASPS NEST. PILOT IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION AT THE TIME OF THIS REPORT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB IAD02LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD02LA001), Oct 4, 2001: Cessna 172B (N7591X), Phillips, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: Loss of engine power due to a blockage of the left fuel tank vent line with mud, and the subsequent inadvertent stall.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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