# NTSB IAD02LA001: Cessna 172B, N7591X, Phillips, ME, October 4, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 4, 2001, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Phillips, ME - Coordinates: 44.852222, -70.283332 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8522&lon=-70.2833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 24, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53568 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD02LA001 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53568/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD02LA001 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power due to a blockage of the left fuel tank vent line with mud, and the subsequent inadvertent stall. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis Approximately 30 minutes after departure, the airplane's engine lost total power. The pilot prepared for a forced landing to a field, and while on final approach, the engine regained full power. The pilot initiated a go-around and the engine lost power a second time. The airplane then entered a "low altitude power off stall" and impacted the ground. Examination of the airplane revealed the left fuel vent line was contaminated with mud. Additionally, examination of the fuel drained from the airplane revealed a mixture of auto gas, 100LL aviation fuel, and a fuel additive. ## Factual narrative On October 4, 2001, at 1000 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172B, N7591X, was substantially damaged during a collision with terrain, following a loss of power near Phillips, Maine. The certificated private pilot/owner was seriously injured, and the pilot-rated passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he performed a thorough preflight inspection and departed from the Pittsfield Municipal Airport (2B7), Pittsfield, Maine, around 0945, destined for the Morrisville-Stowe State Airport (MVL), Morrisville, Vermont. About 30 minutes into the flight, while climbing through 3,700 feet to 4,500 feet, the airplane experienced a "complete engine failure." After an unsuccessful attempt to restart the engine, the pilot prepared for a forced landing to a field. While on final approach for the field, the engine regained full power and the pilot decided to perform a go-around. The airplane cleared the trees at the end of the field, and then the engine lost power again. The airplane then entered a "low altitude power off stall," and impacted the ground in a 45-degree nose low attitude. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed an on-scene examination. He stated that substantial damage was observed to the engine, fuselage, and cockpit. The engine was rotated by hand at the propeller flange, valve train continuity was established and thumb compression was obtained. The left magneto was broken off the engine and was impact damaged. The right magneto remained attached to the engine, and when tested, spark was produced on all towers. The spark plugs were removed from the engine and a "rust-colored" powder was observed on them. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to all flight control surfaces. According to the inspector, at least 7 gallons of fuel were observed in each fuel tank. A fuel sample was drained from the tanks and appeared to be a mixture of auto gas, 100 LL aviation fuel, and a fuel additive. Fuel line continuity was established from the fuel tanks to the engine. Examination of the fuel vent lines revealed the left fuel vent line was contaminated with mud near the intake, which completely sealed the line. The left fuel tank was equipped with an unvented cap, and a vented cap was installed on the right fuel tank. The pilot reported that he refueled the airplane with 14 gallons of "Irving gas" on the night prior to the accident. He stated that "Irving gas" was a Canadian brand of auto fuel which he routinely used in his airplane. The pilot had been refueling the airplane from the same supply for about 2-3 weeks prior to the accident. The fuel was stored in 6-gallon containers in which the pilot had also stored a fuel mixture, which he used in high performance cars. This mixture combined Irving gas with a high performance fuel additive. Additionally, a friend of the pilot's reported to the FAA inspector that the pilot routinely used a "fuel cocktail" in his airplane. The "fuel cocktail" consisted of a lead additive, octane booster, aviation fuel, and auto gas. Examination of the airplane logbooks revealed that a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) was issued on October 22, 1984, which approved the use of unleaded and leaded auto gas in the airplane. Entries were dated in the airplane and engine logbooks on October 18, 1984, referring to the STC approval. The most recent annual inspection was performed on April 17, 2001, with no deficiencies noted. According to the Cessna 172B Pilot Operating Handbook, the fuel selector installed in the airplane could be selected to 'both,' 'left,' 'right,' or 'off.' The FAA inspector reported the fuel selector was observed in the 'off' position during his examination of the airplane, and emergency personnel reported turning it off. The pilot could not recall which tank was selected prior to the accident. The weather reported at the Waterville Airport (WVL), Waterville, Maine, at 0955, included winds from 200 degrees at 5 knots, 9 miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 16 degrees Celsius, dew point 14 degrees Celsius, and altimeter 29.84 in Hg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7591X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7591X-2004-04-02), registration cancelled 2004-04-02, S/N 17248091, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172B - Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17248091 - Airframe hours: 3347 - Engines: Continental O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: George Call - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 17, 2001, 3,300 hours before - Departed: 2B7, Pittsfield, ME - Destination: MVL, Morrisville, VT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 26, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 320 total, 306 in this make and model, 207 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 5 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: WVL ## 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 20011004035189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011004035189A), Oct 4, 2001: Cessna 172B, Phillips, ME, No damage. (-23) Owner/pilot was enroute from pittsfield, ME to newport, VT with passenger. While enroute engine began to lose power. Pilot was unable to restore full… 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.