# NTSB LAX01LA282: Cessna 172-A, N7198T, Groveland, CA, August 18, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 17, 2001, 17:15 local (Aug 18, 2001, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Groveland, CA - Coordinates: 37.850269, -120.010719 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8503&lon=-120.0107&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flt Standards Dist Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 53057 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA282 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53057/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA282 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power due to water contamination forced the pilot to land in an unsuitable area resulting in collision with a tree. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command - fluid,fuel - contamination,water (cause) - Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot made an off airport forced landing following a loss of engine power about 2 minutes after departure. The pilot preflighted the airplane, drained fuel, and completed an extensive run-up. He taxied to the fuel pumps and added over 18 gallons of fuel. He did another run-up and departed. About 75 feet agl the engine sputtered and lost power. The pilot was unable to regain power so he attempted to land on a dirt road. The left wing contacted upsloping terrain; the right wing contacted trees and separated from the airplane. All engine controls and the carburetor air box were secure and functioning. The magnetos were timed to within 1 degree of each other, and the spark plugs were not discolored. All cylinders except cylinder No. 5 had compression greater than 70/80; cylinder No.5 was 25/80. Mechanics staked the valve, but the compression did not change. The gascolator contained 3 ounces of fuel. The carburetor contained a small amount of water; however, the fuel selector valve and main fuel line to the carburetor only contained fuel. The tank vents were clear. ## Factual narrative On August 17, 2001, about 1715 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172-A, N7198T, made an off airport forced landing following a loss of engine power about 2 minutes after departure from Pine Mountain Lake Airport, Groveland, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal local flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated that he preflighted the airplane, drained fuel, and completed an extensive run-up. He taxied to the fuel pumps and added over 18 gallons of fuel. He did another run-up and departed. About 75 feet above ground level (agl) the engine sputtered and lost power. The pilot was unable to regain power so he attempted to land on a dirt road. The left wing contacted up sloping terrain; the right wing contacted trees and separated from the airplane. Air Yosemite in Colombia, California, inspected the airplane. Mechanics observed that all engine controls were secure and functioning. The carburetor air box was intact and functioning. The magnetos were timed to within 1 degree of each other. The mechanic did not recall any discoloration on the spark plugs that garnered his attention. All cylinders except cylinder No. 5 had compression greater than 70/80; cylinder No.5 was 25/80. The mechanic stated he heard air leaking from the exhaust. He staked the valve, but the compression did not change. Mechanics observed 3 ounces of fuel in the gascolator. The carburetor contained a small amount of water; however, the fuel selector valve and main fuel line to the carburetor contained only fuel. The tank vents were clear. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7198T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7198T-2007-08-24), registration cancelled 2007-08-24, S/N 46798, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172-A - Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 46798 - Airframe hours: 4336 - Engines: Continental O-300C 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John E. Clink - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2001, 23 hours before - Departed: Q68, GROVELAND, CA - Destination: GROVELAND, CA - Airport: Q68, Pine Mountain Lake, runway 27, 3,625 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review December 15, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 20,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 17,000 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: MOD, 39 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 20010817023349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010817023349A), Aug 17, 2001: Cessna 172A, Groveland, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 17, 2001 at approximately 1710 local time (PDT), N7198T a Cessna 172A departed Pine Mountain Lake Airport off of rnwy 27. After take off, at… 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.