# NTSB CHI97LA282: Cessna 172M, N9026H, Portage, WI, August 27, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 27, 1997, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Portage, WI - Coordinates: 43.539733, -89.460456 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5397&lon=-89.4605&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10693 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA282 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10693/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA282 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation, and subsequent fuel exhaustion. Factors relating to this accident were: the guard rail, the highway, and the ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - wall/barricade (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - roadway/highway (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot said that his takeoff roll was normal. When he was approximately 70 feet above ground level (agl), the 'engine quit - no pops, sputters, just quit.' The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the problem and began to put the flaps down. The airplane contacted the runway with approximately 100 feet remaining. The airplane rolled off the end of the runway, went through the grass, and struck a guard rail approximately 100 feet off of the end of the runway. The airplane went over the guard rail, skidded across a highway and came to rest in a ditch. Examination of the airplane's fuel system revealed a broken fuel line, aft of the fuel selector, in an area where the fuselage was crushed inward. One-half gallon of fuel was recovered from each of the airplane's two wing fuel tanks. No evidence of a preexisting fuel leak was found on the airplane. Examination of the accident site showed no evidence of fuel spillage. Examination of the engine and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On August 27, 1997, at 1130 central daylight time (cdt), a Cessna 172M, N9026H, operated by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when on initial climb after takeoff the airplane's engine lost power. During the subsequent forced landing, the airplane struck a guard rail and impacted on a road. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The business flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. There was no flight plan on file. The pilot reported no injuries. Two passengers on board reported minor injuries. The local sightseeing flight originated at Portage, Wisconsin, at 1130 cdt. In his written statement, the pilot said that his takeoff roll was normal. When he was approximately 70 feet above ground level (agl), the "engine quit - no pops, sputters, just quit." The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the problem and began to put the flaps down. The airplane contacted the runway with approximately 100 feet remaining. The airplane rolled off the end of the runway, went through the grass, and struck a guard rail approximately 100 feet off of the end of the runway. The airplane went over the guard rail, skidded across a highway and came to rest in a ditch. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the wreckage found all three landing gear broken off of the airplane. Both propeller blades were bent back. The bottom cowling and underside of the forward fuselage were crushed upward and aft. The lower portion of the firewall was bent rearward. The lower right side of the fuselage, aft of the cabin was bent inward. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Examination of the airplane's fuel system revealed a broken fuel line aft of the fuel selector. This was located in an area where the fuselage was crushed inward. A small amount of fuel was found in the belly of the fuselage. One-half gallon of fuel was recovered from each of the airplane's two wing fuel tanks. No evidence of a pre-existing fuel leak was found on the airplane. Examination of the accident site showed no evidence of fuel spillage. The engine was tested following the accident. The engine ran normally. No anomalies were found with the engine controls or other airplane systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9026H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9026H-2005-09-21), registration cancelled 2005-09-21, S/N 17265907, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17265907 - Airframe hours: 4757 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Mark S. Werner - Registered owner: Duffy'S Acft Sales & Leasing - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 25, 1997, 84 hours before - Departed: C47 - Airport: C47, Portage Municipal, runway 22, 3,009 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 484 total, 382 in this make and model, 425 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft overcast - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DLL, 12 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 19970827024939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970827024939A), Aug 27, 1997: Cessna 172M, Portage, WI, Substantial damage. Aircraft engine failed shortly after takeoff and made emergency landing on highway. (-23) Cessna 172, N9026H sustained substantial damage after departing… 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.