- Date
- July 6, 1999, 08:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place
- Addison, IL
- Injuries
- 3 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N739NDCessna 172N
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report January 18, 2001
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19990706008399A
- Case key
- 46697
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 pilot's improper fuel selector positioning resulting in fuel starvation during cruise.
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 said that he was in cruise flight at 1,000 feet above ground level when the engine lost power. He said that he attempted to restart the engine and it did start up, but again lost power. He then conducted a forced landing in a soft open field. A check of the airplane after the accident found that the left fuel tank contained no fuel, while the right fuel tank was full. The fuel selector was found in the 'Off' position. A check of the fuel system and engine failed to find any mechanical anomalies.
Factual narrative
On July 6, 1999, at 0840 central daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N739ND, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing, in an open field near Addison, Illinois. The commercial pilot and two passengers reported minor injuries. The aerial observation CFR 14 Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The local flight departed DuPage Airport, near West Chicago, Illinois at 0555.
In his written statement, the pilot said the airplane was in cruise flight about 1,000 feet above ground level when the engine suffered a loss of power. He said he attempted to restart the engine and it did regain power for a short period, but then lost total power and a forced landing was conducted. He said that prior to landing he, "... verified mixture rich, barb heat on, fuel selector on both, checked mags on L, R, and Both, checked primer in and locked... ." The landing was made in a wet open field.
The recorded temperature was 79 degrees (F) and dew point was 69 degrees (F), at an airport 15 miles to the north of the accident site, 13 minutes after the accident.
Examination of the accident airplane at the accident site revealed the left fuel tank contained no fuel, while the right fuel tank was full. The fuel selector was found in the "Off" position. Both magnetos were checked and sparked. There was continuity through the magneto switch. Fuel flow check was conducted with the selector valve in "Both," "Left," and "Right" positions. All positions checked. The fuel filter was found to be clean.
Subsequently the airplane was moved to a remote location and further inspection checked the venting system in both wings and the selector valve for a second time and found to operate. Cylinder compression on all four cylinders was checked and found within specifications. The carburetor was removed and bench checked and found to be within specifications.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N739ND
- Reported as
- Cessna 172N
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17270666
- Airframe hours
- 2,858
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-H2AD, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Scott Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · June 30, 1999 · 30 hours before
- Departed
- DPA · West Chicago, IL
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
- 34
- Certificates
- Commercial, Flight engineer, Flight instructor
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 850 total · 175 in this make and model · 730 as pilot in command · 205 in the last 90 days · 50 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 360° at 11 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- PWK, 15 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.