# NTSB GAA18CA454: Cessna 172, N171Q, Meadow Lakes, AK, July 25, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 24, 2018, 17:30 local (Jul 25, 2018, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Meadow Lakes, AK - Coordinates: 61.630001, -149.682495 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6300&lon=-149.6825&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97948 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA454 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97948/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97948 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA454 ## Probable cause The pilot’s selection of the wrong fuel tank for departure, which resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the initial climb, the engine experienced a total loss of power. He added that he realized the wrong fuel tank had been selected for takeoff. He subsequently performed a forced landing on a gravel stream bed north of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during the initial climb, the airplane's engine experienced a total loss of power. He added that, he realized the wrong fuel tank had been selected for takeoff and performed a forced landing on a gravel stream bed north of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N171Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N171Q), registered now, S/N 28197, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28197 - Year built: 1956 - Airframe hours: 5674 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 2018 - Departed: 8AK8, Meadow Lakes, AK - Destination: AK12, Anchorage, AK - Airport: 8AK8, North Cubs Strip, runway 32, 1,500 × 50 ft, gravel - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 31, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,300 total, 1,225 in this make and model, 2,260 as pilot in command, 123 in the last 90 days, 67 in the last 30 days, 1.1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: PAWS, 5 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 20180724017759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180724017759A), Jul 24, 2018: Cessna 172, Meadow Lakes, AK, Substantial damage. At 1730 local the pilot departed the north Cubs airstrip (8AK8) near wasilla, Alaska on a VFR flight to the ocean view airstrip (AK12) anchorage, Alaska. After… ## Other investigations on N171Q (2) 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 CEN22LA380](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA380), Aug 7, 2022: Cessna 172 (N171Q), McCarthy, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff in turbulent weather conditions. - [NTSB ANC98LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA071), Jun 12, 1998: Cessna 172 (N171Q), Angoon, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the aborted takeoff. A factor associated with the accident was rough and uneven terrain. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97948. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467982&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.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.