# NTSB CHI91LA178: Cessna 172E, N3663S, Grundy Center, IA, May 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1991, 06:20 local (11:20 UTC)
- Place: Grundy Center, IA
- Coordinates: 42.360538, -92.770095 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3605&lon=-92.7701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15084
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15084/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA178

## Probable cause

FAILURE BY OTHER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO INSTALL A SAFETY WIRE AND FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## 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
  - fuel system,strainer - not safetied
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A SINGLE ENGINE AIRPLANE REPORTED THE ENGINE SPUTTERING 30 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT.  HE CONTACTED AN APPROACH CONTROL FACILITY AND OBTAINED A STEER TO THE NEAREST AIRFIELD, BUT LOST ALL ENGINE POWER AND LANDED IN A FARM FIELD.  THE WRECKAGE SHOWED FUEL STAINS ALONG THE LOWER FUSELAGE FROM FIREWALL AFT.  FUEL STAINS COMMENCED AT THE FUEL STRAINER.  THE STRAINER BOWL HAD NO SAFETY WIRE INSTALLED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3663S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3663S), registered now, S/N 17250863 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E
- Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17250863
- Airframe hours: 4020
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Willett
- Registered owner: Robert Willett
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1991, 38 hours before
- Departed: DSM, DES MOINES, IA
- Destination: INL, INTERN'L FALLS, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 754 total, 670 in this make and model, 705 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALO, 25 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 19910531018619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910531018619A), May 31, 1991: Cessna 172E, Grundy Center, IA, Substantial damage. Fuel exhaustion caused forced landing and nose over in muddy field. Gascolator loose leaked fuel. Not safety wired.

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.