# NTSB CEN11LA522: Cessna 172B, N7624X, Middleton, WI, July 23, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 23, 2011, 16:17 local (21:17 UTC) - Place: Middleton, WI - Coordinates: 43.113887, -89.531669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1139&lon=-89.5317&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 7, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81257 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA522 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81257/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81257 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA522 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power during climb after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power while climbing through about 300 feet above ground level after takeoff. The pilot performed a forced landing to an area off the departure end of the runway where the airplane impacted the ground and struck several objects. During postaccident interviews, the pilot said that he shut off the fuel selector valves before exiting the airplane. The engine operated during a postaccident test run when the emergency fuel shutoff valve was in the on position and the fuel selector valve was set to the right fuel tank. ## Factual narrative On July 23, 2011, about 1617 central daylight time, a Cessna 172B, N7624X, experienced a total loss of engine power after takeoff from Middleton Municipal - Morey Field Airport (C29), Middleton, Wisconsin. The pilot subsequently made a forced landing off the departure end of the runway and impacted terrain, a tree, and a fence. The certificated private pilot and a passenger sustained no injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight destined for the Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that the airplane was fueled with 20 gallons of 100 low lead fuel at C29 prior to departing on runway 10 (4,000 feet by 100 feet, asphalt). He taxied to runway 10 and a before takeoff checklist. After waiting for a departing airplane to clear the area, he began the takeoff. The takeoff roll was about 1,200 feet. A "few seconds" after rotation and about 300 feet above ground level, the engine lost power. The pilot "immediately" reduced pitch attitude in order to avoid a stall. He performed a "very slight" turn to the left to avoid a light structure, and the airplane then contacted the ground similar to a hard landing. The airplane struck a berm, became airborne and struck a street curb, tree, and a fence. The airplane was registered as an experimental research and development exhibition aircraft since January 31, 2011. The airplane was equipped with a Teledyne Continental Motors IO-360D engine and a McCauley two-bladed D2A34C67/76C propeller, both of which were installed under supplemental type certificate SA01626WI. The airplane was equipped with a fuel selector between the forward seats and a guarded emergency fuel shutoff valve located under the cockpit mixture control. There was a three position (low, high, and off) auxiliary fuel pump control switch below the cockpit throttle control. The fuel selector provided fuel to a reservoir tank from the selected wing fuel tank. The guarded emergency fuel shutoff valve is installed between the fuel reservoir tank, estimated to be one gallon in capacity, and the auxiliary fuel pump, which is mounted on the engine firewall. On July 27, 2011, an airworthiness safety inspector from the Milwaukee Flight Standards District Office conducted an engine run without removing the engine from the airframe. An attempt was made to start the engine but was unsuccessful because the emergency fuel shutoff valve and fuel selector were in the off positions. The emergency fuel shutoff valve was opened and the fuel selector valve was positioned to the right fuel tank. The engine was then able to be started and ran briefly at a low engine speed with extreme vibration due to the propeller being damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7624X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7624X-2013-02-26), registration cancelled 2013-02-26, S/N 17248124, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172B - Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17248124 - Airframe hours: 3927 - Engines: Continental IO-360-D 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 2011 - Departed: C29, Middleton, WI - Destination: OSH, Oshkosh, WI - Airport: C29, Middleton Municipal - Morey Fi, runway 10, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 18, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 1,143 total, 1,125 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 5 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: MSN, 8 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 20110723016749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110723016749A), Jul 23, 2011: Cessna 172B, Middleton, WI, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed from the Middleton airport at the intersection of runway 10, approximately 1000 feet from the approach end of the 4000 foot runway. After… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 12, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81257. 942 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 919 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374662&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Examination - FAA (item 2, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374661&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Examination%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF 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.