# NTSB WPR10CA144: Cessna 172, N7499A, Sparks, NV, February 22, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 22, 2010, 10:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Sparks, NV - Coordinates: 39.5275, -119.709724 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5275&lon=-119.7097&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 75395 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75395/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75395 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA144 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's failure to select the correct fuel selector position. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was descending into the landing airport vicinity with the fuel selector on the right tank. The engine then lost power and he switched the fuel selector to the left tank, and then to the "both" position. The propeller continued to windmill and the pilot force-landed the airplane on an interstate. During the landing, the airplane touched down hard and the tailwheel separated from its mounting point and damaged the rudder. The pilot indicated that usually when the airplane is in a descent he positions the fuel selector on the "both" setting. He indicated that in a descent it is important that the selector is positioned to the both position to ensure adequate fuel flow. Additionally, the pilot reported that he may have encountered carburetor icing conditions and he did not immediately apply carburetor heat. According to the Federal Aviation Administration’s carburetor icing chart, icing conditions existed at glide and cruise power. Seven gallons of fuel were found in the airplane's fuel tanks. Following the accident, the engine was started and test run on the airframe using the remaining fuel in the airplane and no anomalies were noted. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he was descending into the landing airport vicinity with the fuel selector on the right tank. The engine then lost power and he switched the fuel selector to the left tank, and then to the both position. The propeller continued to windmill and the pilot force-landed the airplane on an interstate. During the landing, the airplane touched down hard, and the tail wheel separated from its mounting point and damaged the rudder. The pilot indicated that usually when the airplane is in a descent, he positions the fuel selector on both. He indicated that in a descent, it is important that the selector is positioned to the both position to ensure adequate fuel flow. Additionally, the pilot reported that he may have encountered carburetor icing conditions and he did not immediately apply carburetor heat. According to the FAA’s carburetor icing chart, icing conditions existed at glide and cruise power. Seven gallons of fuel were found in the airplane's fuel tanks. Following the accident, the engine was started and test run on the airframe using the remaining fuel in the airplane and no anomalies were noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7499A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7499A), registered now, S/N 29599, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 29599 - Airframe hours: 5704 - Engines: Franklin 6A-350C2 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Joseph H. DuRousseau, Trustee - Registered owner: Joseph H. DuRousseau, Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 5, 2009, 58 hours before - Departed: 2Q9, Dyer, NV - Destination: RNO, Reno, NV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 26, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 2,151 total, 2,101 in this make and model, 2,049 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 3 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: RNO, 4 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 20100222027839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100222027839A), Feb 22, 2010: Cessna 172, Sparks, NV, Minor damage. On February 22, 2010 at approximately 10:20 am, N7499A experienced a mechanical interruption of the powerplant. Prior to departing dyer, Nevada the pilot… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 3, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75395. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 873 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326444&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Rudder (Provided by FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 659 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326399&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Rudder%20(Provided%20by%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.