FTW99LA133

The private pilot executed a forced landing after the engine lost power during takeoff climb. The airplane landed hard and nosed over. The pilot and both passengers stated that the pilot 'checked the gas' prior to the flight. During takeoff climb, the engine began to 'spit and sputter' and then 'stopped.' A witness stated that 'the airplane accelerated downward (no forward airspeed or groundspeed) [and] struck [the] ground in [a] level attitude and bounced inverted.' The FAA inspector, who was at the airport at the time of the accident, stated that he could neither smell nor see any evidence of fuel at the accident site. The inspector visually examined the fuel tanks and found them to be dry. The most recent fuel purchase was made on March 23, 1999, when the pilot topped off the tanks with 18 gallons of fuel. According to the pilot's logbook, the engine had operated for about 75 minutes since this last refueling. The NTSB IIC and the FAA inspector test ran the engine for 14 minutes at various power settings. No anomalies were noted during the engine test run.

On May 8, 1999, at 0915 central daylight time, a Cessna 172M airplane, N101PD, which was owned and operated by the pilot and the rear seat passenger, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Lancaster, Texas. The private pilot and one passenger received minor injuries, and one passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight and a flight plan was not filed. The flight, which was destined for Terrell, Texas, was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the enclosed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that prior to the accident flight, he "checked gas for water-o.k. Tanks-20 mins. used time. Oil-o.k." The pilot also stated that the "run up, and all equip., and gauges checked o.k. c/s prop. checked o.k." The rear seat passenger (the pilot's spouse) and the front right seat passenger (the pilot's friend) stated that the pilot "checked the gas" and sumped both fuel tanks prior to the flight.

According to the pilot, the airplane departed from runway 13 at the Lancaster Airport. The airplane attained a height approximately 150-175 feet above ground level, when the engine "spit and sputtered." The pilot added that he "worked the throttle back and forth. All gauges and switches o.k., except the RPM... The engine took 2 or 3 shots and then engine stopped." A forced landing was executed to the grass area located between the runway and taxiway. The pilot stated that he landed on all three wheels and the airplane nosed over. According to the pilot report, after the accident, the pilot disconnected the battery and checked for fuel leaks and found none.

A witness, located at the airport, stated that he heard the engine "surge then quit completely." He added that the "airplane accelerated downward (no forward airspeed or groundspeed) [and] struck [the] ground in [a] level attitude bounced once landing inverted."

The vertical stabilizer and wings sustained structural damage, and the fuselage was twisted. Additionally, the nose and main landing gear assemblies were bent.

The FAA inspector, who was at the airport at the time of the accident, stated that he sumped the fuel tanks after they righted the airplane and only enough fuel came out "to wet his thumb." He examined the fuel tanks and stated that they were dry. He added that he smelled no fuel at the accident site and there was no evidence of a fuel spill or discoloration of the grass where the airplane came to rest. The FAA inspector stated that he examined the fuel sale records at the Lancaster Airport and found the last refuel date was March 23, 1999, when the tanks were topped off with 18 gallons of aviation gasoline. According to the pilot's logbook, the pilot ran the engine approximately 75 minutes since the last refuel.

On June 10, 1999, the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) and the FAA inspector test ran the engine at Air Salvage of Dallas, Lancaster, Texas. The engine mounts were weld repaired and a replacement propeller was installed. A fuel tank was connected to the left side fuselage fuel line at the wing root. The engine was started and run for a total of 10 minutes at various power settings and 4 minutes at full power. The throttle, propeller and mixture controls were secure and did not slide out during the engine test run. See the enclosed engine run sheet.