# NTSB ATL90LA096: Cessna 172A, N7677T, Villa Rica, GA, April 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1990, 20:00 local (Apr 13, 1990, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Villa Rica, GA
- Coordinates: 33.73019, -84.920166 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7302&lon=-84.9202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8229
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8229/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA096

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION TO THE ENGINE, INITIATED BY THE COMBINATION OF A BLOCKED FUEL TANK VENT LINE AND A MALFUNCTIONING FUEL FILLER CAP. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION, IN THAT HE DID NOT DETECT THE FUEL VENT LINE BLOCKAGE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

AS THE PILOT ADVANCED THE THROTTLE DURING A GO AROUND ATTEMPT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE AIRPLANE WAS FORCE LANDED STRAIGHT AHEAD AND NOSED OVER. AN INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT A WASP HAD BUILT A MUD NEST ON THE LEFT WING IN THE AREA OF THE FUEL TANK VENT OPENING. THE VENT LINE WAS FOUND TO BE OBSTRUCTED BY DIRT. ALSO, THE RIGHT FUEL TANK FILLER CAP WOULD NOT VENT PROPERLY WHEN TESTED. AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF PRE-EXISTING MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7677T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7677T-2018-01-29), registration cancelled 2018-01-29, S/N 47277 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172A
- Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20461-D-5-C
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-C 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Herrington, Mark W.
- Airport: 20GA, Stockmar, runway 9, 5,100 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 178 total, 110 in this make and model, 123 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTY

## 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 19900412063869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900412063869A), Apr 12, 1990: Cessna 172D, Villa Rica, GA, Substantial damage. Elected not to land,began go around, engine quit. Nosed over landing. Fuel vent clogged by mud. Gas cap vent defect

## Other investigations on N7677T (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 MIA72FLA12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72FLA12), Sep 30, 1971: Cessna 172 (N7677T), Jacksonville, FL, 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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