# NTSB LAX97LA007: Cessna 172C, N1332Y, Mesa, AZ, October 7, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 7, 1996, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Mesa, AZ - Coordinates: 33.399536, -111.629249 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3995&lon=-111.6292&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29655 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA007 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29655/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA007 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper use (positioning) of the fuel selector, which resulted in fuel starvation and loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel grade - improper - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ditch - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis About 20 minutes after takeoff, the engine began running rough. The pilot attempted to correct the problem, but was unsuccessful. While attempting a precautionary landing, the engine lost power, and the pilot was forced ro land in a field. During the rollout, the aircraft struck a ditch and nosed over. The fuel selector was positioned on the right tank. Approximately 9 gallons of fuel was drained from the left tank, but the right tank was empty. The fuel was similar in color and odor to auto gas. No STC for auto gas was reported for the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On October 7, 1996, about 0900 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172C, N1332Y, made a forced landing in an agricultural field short of the landing runway at Williams Gateway Airport in Mesa, Arizona. The aircraft sustained substantial damage; however, the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The aircraft was operated as a local area personal flight by the pilot/owner when the accident occurred. The flight originated in Chandler, Arizona, about 0830 on the morning of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that the aircraft had been parked on the ramp for some time and that he had planned on a local flight to warm up the engine. While at 4,000 feet msl, about 20 minutes after takeoff, the engine began running rough. He attempted to correct the problem by checking the fuel, switching tanks several times, adjusting the mixture, and applying carburetor heat. As the roughness became more severe, he contacted Chandler tower and began to fly towards the Williams Gateway airport. He was planning to make a precautionary landing at Williams Gateway when the engine quit and he initiated a forced landing. During the rollout, the aircraft struck a cement-lined irrigation ditch, shearing off the nose gear, and nosing the airplane over onto its back. The aircraft came to rest in an alfalfa field about 1,000 yards short of the airport. FAA airworthiness inspectors found the fuel selector positioned on the right tank. The right tank was visually inspected and found to be dry. Recovery personnel reported draining 9 gallons of fuel from the left tank. The fuel was both similar in color and odor to auto gas. No STC for auto gas was reported for the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1332Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1332Y-2010-01-06), registration cancelled 2010-01-06, S/N 17249032, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172C - Registry model: [Cessna 172C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172c) (registry code 2072408) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17249032 - Airframe hours: 2346 - Engines: Continental O-300-C 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Donald C. Keitel - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1996, 7 hours before - Departed: P10, CHANDLER, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 828 total, 756 in this make and model, 776 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 10 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FFZ, 11 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 19961007031139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961007031139A), Oct 7, 1996: Cessna 172C, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. Experienced engine problems on takeoff, engine quit, glided onto a field short of runway. And flipped over.(.4) about 20 minutes after takeoff, the engine… 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.