# NTSB LAX93LA150: Cessna 172, N4070F, Gila Bend, AZ, March 14, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1993, 11:29 local (18:29 UTC)
- Place: Gila Bend, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.990592, -112.900718 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9906&lon=-112.9007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27945
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27945/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA150

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO PERFORM MANDATORY SERVICE BULLETINS DURING THE ANNUAL INSPECTION 20 FLYING HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT WHICH RESULTED IN THE CARBURETOR'S PRIMARY VENTURI BECOMING LOOSE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,carburetor - surge (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not performed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING FLOWN ON A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT.  THE PILOT SAID HE WAS AT ABOUT 2500 FEET AT CRUISE RPM. AFTER THE AIRPLANE CROSSED THE DAM, THE RPM DROPPED TO IDLE AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH.  THE PILOT SELECTED A DIRT ROAD AS A POTENTIAL LANDING SITE.  AS HE TURNED FINAL, THE ENGINE REGAINED PARTIAL POWER.  THE PILOT ELECTED TO PERFORM A GO AROUND, AT WHICH TIME THE ENGINE AGAIN LOST POWER.  THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND ON A ROADWAY.  DURING THE FINAL APPROACH THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND FIRST, CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO CARTWHEEL.  THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PRIMARY AND MAIN VENTURI WAS A TWO PIECE DESIGN AND THE PRIMARY VENTURI BECAME LOOSE, WHICH CAUSED THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. TWO SERVICE BULLETIN'S WERE NOT PERFORMED WHICH WOULD HAVE REPLACED THE TWO PIECE DESIGN WITH A ONE PIECE VENTURI.  THE AIRPLANE RECEIVED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION 3 MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AND HAD ACCRUED 20 FLIGHT HOURS SINCE THE INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4070F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4070F-2003-05-28), registration cancelled 2003-05-28, S/N 36970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36970
- Airframe hours: 3451
- Engines: Continental O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Juan C. Galban
- Registered owner: Juan C. Galban
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 21, 1992, 20 hours before
- Departed: P10, CHANDLER, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 465 total, 365 in this make and model, 426 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CGZ, 15 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 19930314005029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930314005029A), Mar 14, 1993: Cessna 172, Gila Bend, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost power. Dragged a wing and cartwheeled landing on road. Primary carb venturi fell off. Service bulletin item.

## Other investigations on N4070F (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 MIA68F0295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA68F0295), Nov 18, 1967: Cessna 172 (N4070F), Yazoo City, MS, substantial damage

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.

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