# NTSB WPR12LA099: Cessna 172M, N5100R, Cusick, WA, February 9, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 9, 2012, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Cusick, WA - Coordinates: 48.411388, -117.330001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4114&lon=-117.3300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 82855 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12LA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82855/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82855 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA099 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after takeoff, the engine began to run roughly and lose power. He applied carburetor heat, which did not restore power. The pilot's further troubleshooting attempts were unsuccessful, and he initiated a forced landing. The engine subsequently lost power, and, during the landing to a nearby field, the airplane struck several trees. A postaccident examination of the airframe revealed about 8 gallons of fuel were remaining in the right tank. The left fuel tank was breached during the impact, and it was found empty due to the breach. Further examination of the airplane and a subsequent engine run revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On February 9, 2012, at 1530 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172M, N5100R, experienced a loss of engine power during cruise flight and the pilot made a forced landing in a forested area approximately 2 miles north of Cusick, Washington. The owner/pilot operated the airplane as a personal cross-country flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The flight departed Coeur d'Alene Airport – Pappy Boyington Field (COE), Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, about 1500, and was destined for Sand Canyon Airport (1S9), Chewelah, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight plan had been filed.According to the pilot, he performed a preflight of the airplane, to include sumping the fuel tanks and checking the oil before his departure from COE; there were no abnormalities noted. He also stated that the run-up was normal. On takeoff, he had 10 degrees of flap extended. The takeoff was normal, but the pilot stated that the airplane did not feel 'as spunky as normal'. All of the indications were good; it just did not seem to be producing power. The pilot stated that about 10 minutes from his destination airport, the engine began to run rough. He thought the engine may have carburetor ice, and he pulled the carburetor heat on; however, it did not clear up. He began looking for a spot to make a forced landing, while also attempting to troubleshoot the engine problem. The troubleshooting included switching from one fuel tank to the other, activation of the carburetor heat, use of the boost pump and primer, and all failed to restore power. The pilot stated that the engine kept missing like it wanted to quit. He saw a field that he thought he initially would make; however, it became apparent to him that he was not going to make the field. At that point, he saw an opening and flew toward it. The pilot recalls turning off the master, magneto, and electrical switches before the airplane struck trees. On scene investigation revealed that the left fuel tank was breached and empty from the impact. About 8 gallons of 100LL fuel were drained from the right fuel tank from wreckage recovery personnel. A post accident examination of the airplane and subsequent engine run revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5100R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5100R-2018-02-08), registration cancelled 2018-02-08, S/N 17263338, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17263338 - Airframe hours: 3660 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jim Miller - Registered owner: Jim Miller - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 2011 - Departed: COE, Coeur d'Alene, ID - Destination: 1S9, Chewelah, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 14, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 23,300 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 12,800 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft overcast - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.32 inHg - Observed at: DEW, 27 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 20120209002059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120209002059A), Feb 9, 2012: Cessna 172M, Cusick, WA, Substantial damage. Departed coeur d'alene airport (coe) bound for sand canyon airport (1S9). Pilot stated that upon reaching cruise altitude he noticed the aircraft not… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82855. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 599 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415405&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA (item 2, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415406&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF - Cessna Aircraft Company Report (item 3, .PDF, 583 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415407&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Cessna%20Aircraft%20Company%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Cessna Letter of Permission to Use Report (item 4, .PDF, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415408&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Cessna%20Letter%20of%20Permission%20to%20Use%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 5, .PDF, 438 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415409&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 6, .PDF, 135 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415410&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.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.