# NTSB ATL96LA105: Cessna 172H, N1637F, Hickory, NC, July 13, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 13, 1996, 18:06 local (22:06 UTC) - Place: Hickory, NC - Coordinates: 35.736311, -81.359994 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7363&lon=-81.3600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3740 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3740/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA105 ## Probable cause Engine stoppage for undetermined reasons. A factor was the terrain furrows. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, descent - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions - Forced landing, emergency landing - Nose over, emergency landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis During cruise flight the pilot noted a reduction in engine speed. He applied carburetor heat. The engine ran roughly a few minutes, then returned to the previous speed. The pilot indicated that the trip was taking longer than expected because of headwinds. At the destination he requested a practice instrument landing system approach. During the approach the engine sputtered. The pilot reported that at that time the fuel gauges read empty and 1/4, left and right, respectively. The engine subsequently quit and a forced landing was made to a field. The airplane nosed over after the nose wheel struck a furrow. The pilot also stated that he thought there could be a fuel problem because he previously had trouble with the right fuel gauge, and because of the length of this trip. Weather conditions were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power. During a post accident examination of the airplane, only residual fuel was found in the fuel system. However, the airplane was inverted about ten hours prior to its examination, and blue staining was noted on the wings around the fuel vents. Once the airplane was righted and fuel added to the fuel system, the engine operated. ## Factual narrative On July 13, 1996, about 1806 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172H, N1637F, nosed over during a forced landing, at Hickory, North Carolina. The airplane was operated by the owner/pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and instrument flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. An IFR flight plan was filed for the personal flight. There were no injuries to the private, instrument rated pilot, or his passenger, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Frederick, Maryland, about 1416 the same day. The pilot suggested in his report that he may have exhausted his fuel supply, or that the engine may have quit because of carburetor ice. The airplane touched down in a hayfield safely, but when the nose wheel caught the third or fourth furrow, it nosed over. The airplane came to rest about 3 miles north of the Hickory Airport, which was his planned fueling destination. The airplane was found inverted with blue staining on the wing around the fuel tank vent lines. According to the mechanic who examined the airplane, it had been inverted more than ten hours. Engine control settings in the cockpit consisted of the mixture-rich, throttle-full power, carburetor heat-off, magneto switch-off, and master switch-off. The airplane was righted and the fuel gauge readings noted: left-empty, right 1/8. Additional findings were clear fuel vent lines, one ounce of fuel in the sump, and approximately one tablespoon of fuel in the carburetor bowl. Fuel was added to the airplane fuel system and the engine was operated. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1637F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1637F), registered now, S/N 17255032 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172H - Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17255032 - Airframe hours: 3105 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Stuart Seigler - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, November 22, 1996 - Departed: KFDK, FREDERICK, MD - Destination: KHKY, NC - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: HKY, Hickory, runway 24, 6,400 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 244 total, 149 in this make and model, 175 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: HKY, 3 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 19960713016959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960713016959A), Jul 13, 1996: Cessna 172H, Hickory, NC, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel and made an emergency landing in a field. 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.