- Date
- June 17, 1994, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place
- Lambertville, MI
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N737YWCessna 172
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report January 12, 1995
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Case key
- 9573
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The inadequate maintenance of the airplane resulting in a foreign object in the induction system.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot states engine operation on the maintenance test flight was normal on start-up, all preflight checks, and on takeoff. Approximately 150 feet AGL after takeoff, the engine lost power. The pilot initiated an emergency landing on a field adjacent to the airport. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed a loose steel lock nut in an induction intake tube.
Factual narrative
On June 17, 1994, about 1330 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N737YW, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing on a field. The airplane was making a maintenance test flight when the engine lost power shortly after takeoff from Toledo Suburban Airport, Lambertville, Michigan. Neither the pilot nor the passenger (a certificated airplane mechanic) were injured. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions without flight plan.
According to the passenger/mechanic's statement, the airplane had been experiencing problems which appeared to be fuel related approximately two weeks prior to the accident. The airplane was grounded for an examination. During the examination, the mechanic found the needle valve in the carburetor was sticking. He removed the carburetor and replaced it with a recently overhauled carburetor from another airplane in order to confirm that this valve was the problem. The airplane was then taken for a maintenance test flight. The mechanic states engine operation was normal on start up, all preflight checks, and on takeoff. Approximately 150 feet MSL after takeoff, the engine lost power and the pilot made a forced landing on a field adjacent to the airport.
Postaccident examination of the engine revealed a loose steel lock nut in an induction intake tube. The FAA Inspector's statement is appended.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N737YW
- Reported as
- Cessna 172
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17269787
- Airframe hours
- 5,638
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-H2AD, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Lambert Aircraft, Inc.
- Registered owner
- Lambert Aircraft, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection
- Annual · April 4, 1994 · 61 hours before
- Airport
- 5G9 · Toledo Surburban, runway 9, 1,000 × 500 ft, grass/turf
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 31
- Certificates
- Flight instructor, Flight engineer, Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 473 total · 98 in this make and model · 246 as pilot in command · 47 in the last 90 days · 39 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 30° at 8 knots
- Visibility
- 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature
- 93 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg