# NTSB NYC92LA081: Cessna 172N, N172DG, Blaine Hill, PA, April 18, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1992, 15:05 local (19:05 UTC)
- Place: Blaine Hill, PA
- Coordinates: 40.269557, -79.880722 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2696&lon=-79.8807&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 August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37143
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37143/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA081

## Probable cause

A LEAKING FUEL LINE WHICH RESULTED IN A POWER LOSS AND INFLIGHT FIRE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROLLING TERRAIN.

## 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,line - leak (cause)
- Fire, cruise
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS AND AN INFLIGHT FIRE.  A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN AN AREA OF ROLLING HILLS AND THE AIRPLANE MADE CONTACT WITH THE GROUND ON AN UPSLOPE.  POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT FOLLOWING CARBURETOR REPLACEMENT.  THE FUEL LINE BETWEEN THE FUEL STRAINER AND CARBURETOR WAS NOT FOUND DUE TO FIRE DAMAGE.  THE FAA SAID THE FIRE WAS MORE INTENSE IN THE VICINITY OF THE CARBURETOR, HOWEVER, THE ACTUAL CAUSE OF THE FUEL LEAK WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N172DG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N172DG-2017-06-19), registration cancelled 2017-06-19, S/N 17272124, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17272124
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aero Mech Flying Club
- Registered owner: Randal S. Hill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: AGC, WEST MIFFLIN, PA
- Destination: G08, MONONGAHELA, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,185 total, 352 in this make and model, 1,059 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AGC, 6 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 19920418010379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920418010379A), Apr 18, 1992: Cessna 172N, Blaine Hill, PA, Destroyed. Engine quit on forced landing. Fire behind rudder pedals. Impacted upslope. First flight with new carburetor.

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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