# NTSB FTW98LA039: Cessna 175, N9437B, Arnaudville, LA, November 2, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 2, 1997, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Arnaudville, LA - Coordinates: 30.399246, -91.930953 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3992&lon=-91.9310&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20476 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20476/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA039 ## Probable cause a cracked fuel line, which allowed air to enter the line and lead to fuel starvation and loss of engine power. A related factor was: the 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(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - fuel system,line - cracked (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis The flight had been airborne for 1 hour 15 minutes when a total loss of engine power occurred. During a forced landing in a field, the airplane hit a drainage ditch, the nose gear collapsed, and subsequently, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane contained 43 gallons of fuel at the time of departure, and the fuel selector remained in the 'BOTH' position during the flight. At the site, fuel was found in the fuel tanks; however, a crack was noted in the fuel line between the fuel strainer (mounted on the firewall) and the engine fuel pump. There was evidence that air entered the fuel system through the cracked line, resulting in fuel starvation to the engine. The reason for the crack in the line was not determined. ## Factual narrative On November 2, 1997, at 1630 central standard time, a Cessna 175, N9437B, struck the terrain during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power near Arnaudville, Louisiana. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and 3 passengers were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that departed from Homer, Louisiana, at 1515. A flight plan was not filed. During a personal interview, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, and on the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that the flight departed an airstrip at Homer, Louisiana, and had been airborne for 1 hour 15 minutes en route to Breaux Bridge at 1,200 feet MSL when the "engine quit." The pilot performed the emergency checklist procedures; however, the engine did not restart. The pilot commenced the forced landing procedures for landing in a plowed field. During the landing roll, the airplane hit a drainage ditch, collapsing the nose gear. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Prior to the original departure from Beaux Bridge, the pilot fueled the airplane with 43 gallons of fuel and performed a preflight inspection. The fuel selector remained in the "BOTH" position during the flight. The FAA inspector examining the airplane found structural damage on the left wing. Approximately 6 gallons of fuel was found in the fuel tanks. The inspector noted a crack in the "fuel line between the fuel strainer (mounted on the firewall) and the engine fuel pump. It is suspected that air was suctioned in to the fuel system through the cracked line, resulting in fuel starvation to the engine." The reason for the crack in the line was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9437B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9437B-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 55237, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 175 - Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 55237 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ray A. Bergeron - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 1997, 7 hours before - Departed: 5F4, HOMER, LA - Destination: LA05, BREAUX BRIDGE, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 362 total, 257 in this make and model, 336 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 9 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °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 19971102031679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971102031679A), Nov 2, 1997: Cessna 175, Arnaudville, LA, Substantial damage. Acft had rough running eng, att to make emglanding, struck a road, flipped over, Arnaudville, LA. (.4)the flight had been airborne for 1 hour 15 minutes when a… 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.