# NTSB WPR13LA402: Cessna 172N, N42EP, Long Beach, CA, September 9, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 9, 2013, 13:28 local (20:28 UTC) - Place: Long Beach, CA - Coordinates: 33.81361, -118.16333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8136&lon=-118.1633&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 23, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 88011 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13LA402 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88011/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88011 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA402 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power during initial climb due to debris within the carburetor mixture metering sleeve. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine fuel and control: fuel control/carburetor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 195 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 46 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, following a touch-and-go landing, he began a normal climb. Shortly after, the engine "sputtered" and lost power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to the remaining runway. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard and then came to rest upright. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed pliable debris, similar to silicone, within the carburetor mixture metering sleeve, which would have restricted the fuel flow and produced a lean fuel-air mixture and resulted in the loss of engine power. The source of the debris could not be determined. No additional evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure was found that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On September 9, 2013, about 1328 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N42EP, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a reported loss of engine power at the Long Beach Airport, Long Beach, California. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight which originated from the El Monte Airport, El Monte, California, about 1130. The pilot reported that following a touch-and-go landing on runway 25L, he began a normal climb out. Shortly after, the engine "sputtered" and lost engine power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to the remaining runway while verifying the carburetor heat and mixture control positions. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard and came to rest upright. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the right wing was structurally damaged. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination. Examination of the recovered engine, a Lycoming O-360-A4M, serial number L-29230-36A, revealed that the engine remained attached to the airframe via all its mounts. All engine accessories remained attached to their respective mounts. The engine crankcase and cylinder bases appeared to be coated with oil film. All oil and fuel lines appeared to be intact and secure. The exhaust and induction system was intact. One propeller blade was bent aft about 20 degrees from midspan. The carburetor was intact. The throttle and mixture control cables remained attached to their respective control arms. When actuated using the cockpit controls, the throttle and mixture moved from stop to stop. The top spark plugs and ignition leads were reinstalled. The propeller was removed from the engine, straightened, and reinstalled on the engine. The engine was started 3 times utilizing the magneto starter switch. The engine ran at an idle power setting for approximately 5 to 10 seconds before shutting off. The carburetor was removed and disassembled. The plastic floats and needle were intact and appeared to be undamaged. No debris was observed within the float bowl. Air was applied to the venturi nozzle and air movement was noticed throughout the fuel passages. Pliable debris, similar to silicone, was observed within the mixture metering sleeve. The debris was removed and the carburetor was reassembled and subsequently reinstalled on the engine. Silicone was also observed on the carburetor airbox assembly. The source of the debris inside the carburetor was not determined. The engine was started and ran without incident throughout various power settings before being shut down by utilizing the mixture cut off. Review of the airplane maintenance logbooks revealed that on August 22, 2013, at a tachometer time of 1,037.4 hours, thecarburetor was removed, cleaned, and the needle valve and seat were checked. The carburetor was reinstalled on the engine and subsequently returned to service. The engine had accumulated 1.5 hours tachometer time since the carburetor maintenance was performed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N42EP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42EP-2015-04-07), registration cancelled 2015-04-07, S/N 17269777, built 1977 (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: 17269777 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 9486 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 5, 2012, 40 hours before - Departed: CL27, EL MONTE, CA - Destination: CL27, EL MONTE, CA - Airport: LGB, Long Beach /Daugherty Field/, runway 25L, 5,421 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,432 total, 3,250 in this make and model, 3,326 as pilot in command, 197 in the last 90 days, 67 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: KLGB ## 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 20130909020269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130909020269A), Sep 9, 2013: Cessna 172N, Long Beach, CA, Destroyed. CE-172 lost power 200'AGL after take off on rwy 25L at klgb. Ac crashed approx. 500' off the end of rwy in dirt overrun causing substantial damage to ac. No… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 13, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88011. 11.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405232&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Summary of the NTSB Engine Exam /Run (item 2, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405233&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Summary%20of%20the%20NTSB%20Engine%20Exam%20%2FRun-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 3, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405234&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: View of the recovered wreckage. (item 4, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405235&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20View%20of%20the%20recovered%20wreckage.-Master.PDF - Photo 2: View of the Carburetor. (item 5, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405236&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20View%20of%20the%20Carburetor.-Master.PDF - Photo 3: View of the Carburetor. (item 6, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405237&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20View%20of%20the%20Carburetor.-Master.PDF - Photo 4: View of the debris found within the carburetor. (item 7, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405238&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%3A%20View%20of%20the%20debris%20found%20within%20the%20carburetor.-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.