# NTSB CEN22LA098: Cessna 172, N3964L, Youngstown, OH, January 8, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 8, 2022, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Youngstown, OH · Estimated, just north of the airport. - Coordinates: 41.136767, -80.617378 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1368&lon=-80.6174&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Cleveland FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 104509 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104509/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104509 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA098 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available information, which resulted in a forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072420), [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. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported he departed with 7 gallons of automotive fuel in the right fuel tank and 5.8 gallons of automotive fuel gallons in the left fuel tank and that he checked the fuel levels with a sight gauge. The right fuel gauge indicated “one quarter of a tank” and the left fuel gauge indicated “slightly less than half a tank.” After the completion of the local flight, the pilot entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. At the midfield point, the pilot added 10° flaps and applied full carburetor heat. The engine then “stumbled and quit.” The pilot attempted to restart the engine to no avail. The pilot had the fuel tank selector in the BOTH position. The pilot increased the flaps to 40° and executed a teardrop-style left turn to the runway. The airplane “floated long” and landed on airport property beyond the runway into trees, at stall speed. The airplane came to rest with the left wing pointing down toward the ground and the right wing toward the sky. The three occupants were able to egress from the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airplane found both fuel tanks intact, with no signs of a fuel leak on the airframe. About a quarter of a gallon of fuel was drained from the right fuel tank and about four gallons of fuel was drained from the left fuel tank. The fuel tank selector was found in the BOTH position. Airframe to engine control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine revealed no mechanical anomalies. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available evidence. A review of the meteorological conditions near the time of the accident, showed that the formation of carburetor icing was not likely for the usage of aviation gasoline. However, the airplane was modified to use automotive gasoline, which the pilot used to fill the airplane with prior to the flight. References have stated that carburetor icing will occur in less time and at higher ambient temperatures with automotive gasoline than with aviation gasoline. Based on the available evidence, it could not be determined what, if any role, carburetor icing may have played in the accident. ## Factual narrative On January 8, 2022, about 1530 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172G airplane, N3964L, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Youngstown, Ohio. The private pilot and two passengers sustained no injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 test flight. The airplane was modified with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved supplemental type certificate to utilize automotive fuel (commonly called “MOGAS”), which the pilot used to fuel the airplane before the accident flight. Before the flight began, the pilot reported there was 7 gallons in the right fuel tank and less than 2 gallons in the left fuel tank, as he checked the fuel levels with a sight gauge. The pilot added 3.8 gallons of fuel to the left fuel tank. The right fuel gauge indicated “one quarter of a tank” and the left fuel gauge indicated “slightly less than half a tank.” The pilot reported the purpose of the flight was to verify the proper operation of a newly installed automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast system in the airplane. After the confirmation of accuracy, the pilot entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. At the midfield point, the pilot added 10° flaps and applied full carburetor heat. The engine then “stumbled and quit.” The pilot attempted to restart the engine to no avail. The pilot had the fuel tank selector in the BOTH position, and he reported he did not change its position at any time. The pilot increased the flaps to 40° and he executed a teardrop-style left turn to the runway. He reported he was below the tree line but was still too high to make a touchdown. The airplane “floated long” and landed on airport property beyond the runway into trees, at stall speed. The airplane came to rest with the left wing pointing down toward the ground and the right wing toward the sky. The three occupants were able to egress from the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airplane found both fuel tanks intact, with no signs of a fuel leak on the airframe. About a quarter of a gallon of fuel was drained from the right fuel tank and about 4 gallons of fuel were drained from the left fuel tank. The fuel tank selector was found in the BOTH position. Airframe to engine control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine revealed no mechanical anomalies. A review of the meteorological conditions near the time of the accident, showed that the formation of carburetor icing was not likely for the usage of aviation gasoline. The FAA has published Advisory Circular (AC) 91-33A Use of Alternate Grades of Aviation Gasoline for Grade 80/87 and Use of Automotive Gasoline. This document discusses carburetor icing and states: FAA Technical Center testing indicates that carburetor icing will occur in less time and at higher ambient temperatures with automotive gasoline than with aviation gasoline.Therefore, pilots using automotive gasoline should be familiar with the induction system icing prevention procedures of the FAA AC 20-113 and be prepared to use these procedures at higher ambient temperatures and lower humidities than when using aviation gasolines. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3964L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3964L), registered now, S/N 17254133 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (G) - Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17254133 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 12298.47 - Engines: Continental Motors 0-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 25, 2021 - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 26, 2021; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,750 total, 1,150 in this make and model, 1,272 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 10 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: KYNG, 7 nm away - METAR: KYNG 081951Z 16010G19KT 10SM FEW120 FEW250 M01/M12 A3031 RMK AO2 SLP281 T10111122 $ ## 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 20220108001199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220108001199A), Jan 8, 2022: Cessna 172G, Liberty, OH, Substantial damage. 01/09/2022 Aircraft experienced a loss of power in the pattern at youngstown Landsdowne Airport (04G). Pilot attempted to get the aircraft to runway 02 but… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 8, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104509. 7.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14350646&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_1%20Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident photographs (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14350146&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - Additional documents (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 714 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14350873&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Addtional%20Documents%20Redacted-Rel.pdf - Carburetor icing probability graph (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 336 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15580479&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN22LA098%20Carburetor%20Icing%20Probability%20Graph-Rel.pdf - Cessna 172G POH excerpt - fuel system (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15581907&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Cessna%20172G%20POH%20Excerpt-Rel.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.