# NTSB ATL07LA106: Cessna 172P, N63483, Sussex, NJ, July 22, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 22, 2007, 09:15 local (13:15 UTC) - Place: Sussex, NJ - Coordinates: 41.2, -74.620277 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2000&lon=-74.6203&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66269 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL07LA106 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66269/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07LA106 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - fuel system,carburetor float - jammed - maintenance,adjustment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis At 4,000 feet above ground level, the engine began to sputter, and power decreased to 500 rpm. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in an open field, but the airplane collided with trees. Inspection of the carburetor revealed the carburetor float was stuck in the down position and the needle valve was in the full open position. A review of the logbooks revealed that on June 12, 2007 an overhauled carburetor was installed on the engine, and the idle speed and mixture settings were set. The float assembly was disassembled in order to free the needle valve. The carburetor was reassembled, and it appeared to function normally. The engine was test run and no anomalies were noted. ## Factual narrative On July 22, 2007, at 0915 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N63483, was substantially damaged when it collided with a tree during an emergency landing near the city of Sussex, New Jersey. The private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated from Blairstown Airport, Blairstown, New Jersey. The airplane was registered to GPA Aviation Club Incorporated, and operated by a private individual under the provisions of Title 14 code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The pilot stated that he made a few stops at other airports earlier that morning. He said that after conducting a preflight inspection, he departed for the Sussex Airport, Sussex, New Jersey. During cruise flight, at 4,000 feet, the engine sputtered and power decreased to 500 rpm. The pilot tried, unsuccessfully, to regain full power of the engine, attempted an emergency landing in an open field, but the airplane collided with trees. Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuselage, vertical stabilizer, rudder, right and left wings were buckled, and both main fuel tanks had approximately 18 gallons of fuel. An examination of the engine revealed that there was no damage to the engine accessories, and valve train continuity was established. A review of the logbooks revealed that on May 24, 2007, Paragon Aircraft Service installed an overhauled carburetor. On June 12, 2007, the carburetor was removed due to an over-lean idle condition. Subsequently, another carburetor was installed, checked for leaks, and the idle speed and mixture settings were set. During inspection of the carburetor it was observed that the float was stuck in the down position, and the needle valve was in the full open position. Further examination revealed that there was no debris in the float assembly, which was then disassembled in order to free the needle valve. The carburetor was then reassembled. A test run was subsequently made on the engine and no anomalies were noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N63483](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N63483), registered now, S/N 17275438, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17275438 - Airframe hours: 5723 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James R Darrah - Registered owner: GPA Aviation Club Incorporated - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2007, 102 hours before - Departed: 1N7, BLAIRSTOWN, NJ - Destination: FWN, Sussex, NJ - Airport: 1N7, Blairstown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 392 total, 6 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KFWN, 21 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20070722015539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070722015539A), Jul 22, 2007: Cessna 172P, Branchville, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) While flying at approximately 4,000 feet, approximately 9 nautical miles northwest of the sussex airport (fwn) in sussex, NJ, the pilot stated he was… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.