# NTSB FTW98LA050: Cessna 172G, N202EX, Van, TX, November 17, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 17, 1997, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Van, TX - Coordinates: 32.520503, -95.630325 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5205&lon=-95.6303&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20485 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA050 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20485/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA050 ## Probable cause fuel starvation, resulting from restricted carburetor float travel, due to improper maintenance installation. The encounter with a power line was related factor. ## 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, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system,carburetor float - movement restricted (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, owner/pilot mechanic (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - wire,transmission - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff ## Analysis The airplane impacted terrain during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power. The pilot reported that this was the first 'test' flight, following repair and re-assembly of the airplane, since its previous accident, which occurred on 5/9/96. The pilot stated that he took off from runway 04, and during the initial climb-out phase at about 150 feet AGL, a complete loss of engine power occurred. The pilot reported that he 'pumped' the throttle, and there was a 'momentary burst' of power. The pilot stated that he continued to pump the throttle, but this did not yield further results. The pilot then executed a forced landing. The pilot banked the airplane to the left, and it contacted power lines. The airplane then impacted the ground, turned 180 degrees, and came to rest upright, adjacent to a line of trees. Examination of the carburetor revealed that the float valve retractor clip was improperly installed, which restricted float travel. The float drop was improperly set at 1.5 inches. The proper setting was between 1.72 to 1.78 inches. The restricted float travel resulted in fuel starvation to the engine and subsequent loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On November 17, 1997, at 1030 central standard time, a Cessna 172G airplane, N202EX, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged after impacting terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Van, Texas. Both occupants, the commercial pilot and the pilot-rated passenger, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, for which no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from a private grass strip near Van, Texas, at 1029. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) and in an interview, that this was the first "test flight" since he purchased the airplane. The airplane had been repaired and reassembled, in part by the pilot/mechanic who holds an Airframe and Powerplant Certificate, due to an accident that the aircraft was involved in on May 9, 1996. The pilot stated that he performed an "extensive" preflight before starting the engine and that the run-up was "normal." He then positioned the airplane at the approach end of runway 04, with the flaps set at 10 degrees and the fuel selector switch on "both." During the take-off roll all instrument indications, including RPM, were normal. The airplane was climbing through approximately 150 feet AGL, when the engine lost power. The pilot reported that he "pumped" the throttle and there was a "momentary burst" of power. He continued to pump the throttle, but subsequent pumps had no effect. During the descent, the pilot banked the airplane to the left and impacted a power line. The airplane impacted the ground and subsequently turned 180 degrees, coming to rest upright, adjacent to a line of trees. Examination of the aircraft at the site revealed structural damage to the fuselage. The right main landing gear and nose gear assemblies were found separated from the aircraft. The Marvel Schebler/Precision Airmotive Carburetor (p/n 10-4894) was removed at the site by the parties of the investigation under the supervision of an FAA inspector. The travel for the metal type float was found to be limited. Further examination of the carburetor was conducted at J and G Aero Carburetor, Inc., in Dallas, Texas, under supervision of a NTSB representative. This examination revealed that the float valve retractor clip was improperly installed behind the float hanger, which restricted float travel. The proper installation of the clip is to the side of the float hanger. It was also found that the float drop was set at 1.5 inches. The proper float drop setting is between 1.72 to 1.78 inches. The improper installation of the float valve retractor clip and the improper setting on the float drop resulted in fuel starvation to the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N202EX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N202EX-2000-11-02), registration cancelled 2000-11-02, S/N 17253456 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172G - Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17253456 - Airframe hours: 3000 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Raymond E. Burch - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 14, 1997, 1 hours before - Airport: PVT, Private Strip, runway 4, 2,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,600 total, 700 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 8 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TYR, 25 nm away ## 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 19971117046849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971117046849A), Nov 17, 1997: Van, TX, No damage. (-23) Pilot stated that after completing an annual inspection, which also including rebuilding the carburetor, he performed a static runup which was… ## Other investigations on N202EX (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 FTW96LA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA204), May 9, 1996: Cessna 172G (N202EX), Okmulgee, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S CONTINUED OPERATION WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN THE AIRPLANE AND THE PILOT'S AND MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL'S FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE RESULTING IN THE MALFUNCTIONING… 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.