ERA18LA169

The pilot stated that he conducted a preflight inspection, during which he sampled the fuel and recovered about 4 ounces of water. He then performed an engine run-up and taxied to the runway for departure. During the climbout, when the airplane was about 100 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power. The pilot performed a forced landing, and the airplane collided with trees. The fuselage, wings, and empennage were substantially damaged during the impact. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed a large bird nest in the engine cowling and cabin air intakes. The condition of the engine air intake could not be determined due to impact damage. The propeller was able to rotate and valvetrain continuity and the operation of the magnetos was confirmed. Given the available evidence, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

On June 16, 2018, about 1600 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172D, N2777U, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Quinton, Virginia. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight was departing from New Kent County Airport (W96), Quinton, Virginia. According to the pilot, two evenings prior to the accident flight, he inspected the airplane in anticipation of the upcoming flight. During the inspection he removed “two walnut sized mud balls” from the area of the engine and noted the presence of straw that suggested the possible presence of a bird nest. During his prelight inspection just before the accident flight, when he removed the engine cowling plugs he found and removed a bird nest from the center/right side of the engine. After using a flashlight to complete the examination of the engine area, he noted no further anomalies. He stated that he sampled the fuel in the left wing tank and removed about 4 ounces of water until he obtained clear fuel; he sampled the fuel in the right wing tank and belly drain and noted no "meaningful" amount of water. He then started the airplane and taxied to the fuel pumps where he filled the airplane’s fuel tanks. About that time he found and removed mud from the fuel tank vent behind the pilot-side wing strut using a flexible wire and a screwdriver. The pilot stated that when he conducted an engine run-up, he noted “nothing unusual,” and taxied to runway 29 for departure. The pilot stated that the takeoff was normal but that when airplane was about 100 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power. The pilot performed a forced landing straight ahead, and the airplane subsequently collided with trees. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the fuselage, wings, and empennage were substantially damaged. Examination of the engine revealed a large bird nest in the engine cowling and cabin air intakes. The condition of the engine air intake could not be determined due to impact damage. Valvetrain continuity was confirmed through rotation of the propeller. Both magnetos were capable of producing spark and the spark plugs appeared normal. The carburetor and fuel bowl were broken.