# Accident 20100222027839A: Cessna 172, Sparks, NV, February 22, 2010

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 22, 2010, 10:20 local time
- Place: Sparks, NV
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.5275° N, 119.7097° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5275&lon=-119.7097&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7499A, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7499A) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172 (registry code 2072402, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental 0-300 series (registry code 17022, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Reported engine: FRANKLIN 6A-350SER
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 2,149 total, 2,149 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR10CA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA144) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100222027839A

## Narrative

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

ON FEBRUARY 22, 2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:20 AM, N7499A EXPERIENCED A MECHANICAL INTERRUPTION OF THE POWERPLANT. PRIOR TO DEPARTING DYER, NEVADA THE PILOT STATED HE PHYSICALLY CHECKED THE FUEL TANKS AND REPORTED THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 12 GALLONS PER SIDE FOR THE 1 ½ HOUR FLIGHT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE FLIGHT HE HAD BEEN UTILIZING THE FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK. THE PILOT PLANNED TO LAND AT SPANISH SPRINGS AIRPORT BUT THE AIRPORT WAS FOGGED IN. THE RENO TOWER CLEARED THE PILOT FOR THE ILS APPROACH INTO RENO WHERE THE PILOT EXECUTED A MISSED APPROACH THEN PLANNED TO LAND AT FERNLEY, NEVADA. AT APPROXIMATELY 12 MILES EAST OF THE RENO VOR, ENROUTE TO FERNLEY, THE RENO TOWER CLEARED THE PILOT TO LAND VFR AT RENO. THE PILOT ENTERED A DESCENT FROM 7600 MSL AND MOVED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM THE RIGHT TANK TO THE LEFT TANK AND THE ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY CEASED OPERATION. THE PILOT STATED HE DID NOT APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED NUMEROUS RESTARTS, WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR IN VARIOUS POSITIONS WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE PILOT THEN CHOSE TO LAND ON INTERSTATE 80 IN THE WESTBOUND LANES. UPON TOUCH DOWN THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD CAUSING THE TAIL WHEEL TO SHEAR AT THE LEAF SPRING BUT REMAINED ATTACHED TO THE AIRFRAME VIA THE COMPRESSION SPRING. THE TAIL WHEEL THEN BOUNCED INTO THE RUDDER CAUSING A TEAR IN THE TRAILING EDGE OF THE MOVABLE SURFACE. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE LEFT WING TIP STRUCK A TEMPORARY HIGHWAY SIGN WITH MINIMAL DAMAGE.  THE FUEL TOTALIZER INDICATED 7.7 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING. AFTER THE AIRCRAFT WAS REMOVED FROM THE TRAFFIC LANES, THE WING TANK FUEL SUMPS AND GASCOLATOR WERE CHECKED FOR FUEL AND EACH HAD A POSITIVE FUEL FLOW. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED WITH NO ABNORMAL INDICATIONS. THE AIRCRAFT RECOVERY CREW DRAINED THE REMAINING FUEL FROM THE WING TANKS AND THERE WAS LESS THAN 6 GALLONS REMAINING.

## 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 WPR10CA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA144), Feb 22, 2010: Cessna 172 (N7499A), Sparks, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's failure to select the correct fuel selector position.

## Other reports on N7499A (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19911015054359I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911015054359I), Oct 15, 1991: Cessna 172 (N7499A), Reno, NV, Minor damage. Hard landing. Aircraft bounced. Pilot made a go-around. Nose gear collapsed on second attempt at landing.

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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