# NTSB ERA18LA169: Cessna 172D, N2777U, Quinton, VA, June 16, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 16, 2018, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Quinton, VA - Coordinates: 37.503334, -77.126663 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5033&lon=-77.1267&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 97491 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA18LA169 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97491/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97491 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA169 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072410), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172D, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072410), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172D, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072410), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172D, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072410), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2777U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2777U-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N 17250377, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172D (D) - Registry model: [Cessna 172D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172d) (registry code 2072410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17250377 - Year built: 1963 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300 SER 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 9, 2017, 3,939 hours before - Departed: W96, Quinton, VA - Destination: UKT, Quakertown, PA - Airport: W96, New Kent County Airport, runway 29, 3,603 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 300 total, 150 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: W96 ## 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 20180616008029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180616008029A), Jun 16, 2018: Cessna 172D, New Kent, VA, Destroyed. The pilot arrived to preflight around 2PM. He was observed via camera footage and from line service conducting preflight. It was noticed he spent atleast 20… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 19, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97491. 8.9 MB in all. - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 6.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9111995&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%2018LA169_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9112349&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%206120%20statement%20LA169-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of record FAA examination (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9112560&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20FAA%20examination%20summary%20%20LA169-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9112763&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20logbook%20excerpts%20LA169%20_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Weather reports and records (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9111908&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Weather%20Observations%20LA169-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 6, PDF, 4 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9112551&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20LA169-Rel.pdf 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.