# NTSB ATL86LA048: Cessna 172, N7300A, Kings Mountain, NC, December 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1985, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Kings Mountain, NC
- Coordinates: 35.239997, -81.339614 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2400&lon=-81.3396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7050
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7050/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA048

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - fuel system - frozen (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD BEEN MOORED ON AN OPEN RAMP IN EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERTURES. DURING PREFLIGHT THE PLT FOUND THAT THE FUEL STRAINER DRAIN WOULD NOT CLOSE AND ONE WING TANK DRAIN WOULD NOT OPEN. A MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE LEAKING STRAINER BUT COULD NOT STOP FUEL FROM FLOWING BY USE OF THE SELECTOR VALVE. A PLUG WAS PLACED IN THE STRAINER TO MINIMIZE THE LEAK AND THE PLT DECIDED TO FLY TO HIS HOMEBASE TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. ABOUT 15 MINUTES INTO THE FLT, THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER REQUIRING A FORCED LANDING. INSPECTION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM INDICATED THE PRESENCE OF WATER IN THE SELECTOR VALVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7300A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7300A-1989-09-08), registration cancelled 1989-09-08, S/N 29400 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 29400
- Airframe hours: 4664
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Myron P. Lipe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 29, 1985
- Departed: RUQ, SALISBURY, NC
- Destination: 18A, FRANKLIN COUNTY, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 279 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19851226063749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851226063749A), Dec 26, 1985: Cessna 172, Kings Mountain, NC, Destroyed. Engine ran rough after 20 minutes en route. Nosed over in open field. Suspect water or ice in fuel selector valve.

## Other investigations on N7300A (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 UNK64X2521](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2521), Jun 27, 1964: Cessna 172 (N7300A), Gadsen, AL, substantial damage

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.

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