# NTSB FTW83LA281: Cessna 172I, N35520, Forrest City, AR, June 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1983, 11:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Forrest City, AR
- Coordinates: 35.00983, -90.780319 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0098&lon=-90.7803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20933
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA281
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20933/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA281

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Occurrence

## Analysis

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED POWER FAILURE FROM ABOUT 20 FEET AGL DURING TAKEOFF FROM A PRIVATE GRASS STRIP. A WITNESS HEARD THEENGINE SPIT AND POP DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. HE SAID IT SOUNDED JUST LIKE HIS OLD PICKUP WHEN IT RUNS OUT OF GAS. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE CARBURETOR BOWL WAS EXAMINED BY A MECHANIC WHO SAID IT CONTAINED A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL WITH NO TRASH OR WATER. THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS 1/3 TO 1/2 FULL BUT THE RIGHT TANK HAD ONLY SEVEN QUARTS OF FUEL WITH ABOUT 6 DROPS OF WATER PRESENT. THE 7 QUARTS WERE COLLECTED BY REMOVING THE WING FROM THE ACFT BEFORE DRAINING IT. THE RESCUE PERSONNEL SAID THEY TURNED OFF THE FUEL BUT THE SELECTOR HAD BEEN ON THE RIGHT TANK WHEN THEY ARRIVED. THE OPERATORS FUEL MANAGEMENT PROCEDURE IS TO USE ONE HALF OF ONE TANK THEN SWITCH TANKS AND RUN THE OPPOSITE TANK DRY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35520](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35520-1985-01-08), registration cancelled 1985-01-08, S/N 17256811 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172I
- Registry model: [Cessna 172I](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172i) (registry code 2072426) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17256811
- Airframe hours: 3758
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary J. Michaelis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: GOODWIN, AR
- Airport: runway 36, 1,330 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 101 total, 80 in this make and model, 66 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830616025909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830616025909A), Jun 16, 1983: Cessna 172I, Forrest City, AR, Destroyed. Engine quit in a steep left turn after liftoff. Low fuel in the selected right tank allowed unporting. Stalled in.

## Other investigations on N35520 (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW74FPG73](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74FPG73), Jun 16, 1974: Cessna 172 (N35520), N.Little Rock, AR, substantial damage

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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