# NTSB DEN84LA077: Cessna 172E, N5376T, Erie, CO, January 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 28, 1984, 10:10 local (17:10 UTC)
- Place: Erie, CO
- Coordinates: 40.019348, -105.040054 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0193&lon=-105.0401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16326
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16326/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA077

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THIS ACFT HAD NOT HAD AN ANNUAL INSPECTION IN MORE THAN 13 YEARS AND HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN IN 8 YEARS. DURING THE ACCIDENT FLT THE ACFT ENGINE QUIT AFTER 25 MINUTES OF FLT. AFTER THE FORCED LANDING A MECHANIC FOUND THE CARBURETOR BOWL DRY AND THE FUEL LINE VENT STUCK CLOSED. THE FUEL CAPS WERE THE OLD UNVENTED TYPE. AN AD, EFFECTIVE 6/6/79, HAD REQUIRED VENTED CAPS. THE ACFT HAD NOT FLOWN 100 HRS SINCE 1979 SO IT TECHNICALLY WAS NOT AFFECTED BUT A CURRENT ANNUAL WOULD HAVE FOCUSED ATTENTION ON THE NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE AD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5376T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17251276
- Airframe hours: 2842
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Hugh Richarson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: 7C00, Parkland, runway 8, 4,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,650 total, 205 in this make and model, 1,650 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19840128001599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840128001599A), Jan 28, 1984: Cessna 172E, Erie, CO, Destroyed. Engine quit on climbout. Fuel tank vent clogged. Aircraft sat for 8 years. Was out of annual.AD on vented fuel caps

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.

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