# NTSB DEN06LA014: Cessna 172L, N2870Q, Rock Springs, WY, November 16, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 15, 2005, 18:30 local (Nov 16, 2005, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Rock Springs, WY - Coordinates: 41.595001, -109.065002 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5950&lon=-109.0650&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards Field Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 62832 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN06LA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62832/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN06LA014 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power for reasons undetermined. Contributing to the accident was the dark night and lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, descent - normal - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - light condition - night (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated he flew a total of 3 hours to two airports throughout the day. He stated that 5 miles from the third airport, he turned his landing light and carburetor heat on. Subsequently, both electrical and engine power were lost. The pilot stated he announced a "Mayday" call over the radio and performed a forced landing in hilly, rough terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. The pilot stated that after the impact he could immediately smell fuel in the cabin and was able to hear it dripping from the airplane. During the recovery of the airplane, one quart of fuel was recovered from the left wing. No further evidence of fuel was noted. An examination of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded the engine from producing power prior to impact. The airplane battery was replaced and the electrical system functioned properly. An examination of the remaining systems revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On November 15, 2005, approximately 1830 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172L, N2870Q, operated by Fremont Motor Company, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a forced landing 4 nautical miles northeast of Sweetwater County Airport (RKS), Rock Springs, Wyoming. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The business flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The private pilot reported no injuries. The cross-country flight departed Lander, Wyoming, approximately 1745. According to the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form (6120.1/2) submitted by the pilot, he departed Rawlins, Wyoming (RWL), on the morning of the accident and had flown to Powell, Wyoming, (POY) for a business meeting. The pilot stated that he departed POY approximately 1600, and flew to Lander, Wyoming (LND). He departed LND for RKS approximately 1745. He stated that 5 miles from the airport, he turned his landing light and carburetor heat on. Subsequently, both electrical and engine power were lost. The pilot stated he announced a "Mayday" call over the radio and performed a forced landing in hilly, rough terrain. The airplane nosed over during the forced landing, coming to rest inverted in a ravine. Both wings were bent down and wrinkled and the left main landing gear assembly separated from the fuselage. The nose wheel separated from the strut and the firewall was winkled. The airplane was recovered and relocated to a hangar in Greeley, Colorado. During recovery, one quart of fuel was recovered from the left wing. No further evidence of fuel was noted. An examination of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded the engine from producing power prior to impact. The airplane master switch had been left on and the battery was dead. The airplane battery was replaced and the electrical system functioned properly. An examination of the remaining systems revealed no anomalies. In a telephone interview with the pilot, he stated that after the impact, he egressed through the front windscreen. The pilot stated that he could immediately smell fuel in the cabin and was able to hear it dripping from the airplane. The pilot stated that he visually verified full fuel tanks prior to departure from RWL, and during his preflight in POY, measured 15 to 16 gallons of fuel in each tank. Fuel consumption calculations, based on calm winds, revealed that the flight activity of the day should have consumed 29 gallons of fuel, leaving approximately 9 gallons on board. The pilot stated that he did not obtain a weather briefing, did not obtain winds aloft, and did not calculate the fuel consumption for the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2870Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2870Q-2007-05-23), registration cancelled 2007-05-23, S/N 17259870, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172L - Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17259870 - Airframe hours: 3359 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2005, 19 hours before - Departed: LND, LANDER, WY - Destination: RKS, Rock Springs, WY - Airport: RKS, Rock Springs-Sweetwater County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 232 total, 232 in this make and model, 211 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 250° at 18 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: RKS, 4 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 20051115027499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051115027499A), Nov 15, 2005: Cessna 172L, Rock Springs, WY, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reduced power, applied carburetor ice, engine started to run rough and quit. Pilot went thru emergency procedures and did not have enough altitude… 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.