# NTSB WPR21LA140: Cessna 172S, N2164Z, Everett, WA, March 23, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 23, 2021, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Everett, WA · off airport landing - Coordinates: 47.907317, -122.28209 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9073&lon=-122.2821&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA, Lycoming Engines - NTSB case key (mKey): 102799 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA140 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102799/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102799 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA140 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power during climb, for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence. ## 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 172S, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff, at an altitude of about 100 ft above ground level, the engine began to sputter. The pilot initiated a left turn, to land on the smaller parallel runway to the east. During the turn, the engine lost all power, and the pilot was unable to maintain altitude. The airplane collided with trees and came to rest about 500 ft east of the runway. A postaccident examination of the airframe, engine, and fuel system revealed no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On March 23, 2021, about 0900 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172S airplane, N2164Z, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Everett, Washington. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he planned a flight from Paine Field (PAE), Everett, Washington, with the intended destination of Yakima, Washington. After completing a preflight check and verifying the fuel quantity was nearly full in each wing tank, the pilot taxied to the runway. During the takeoff roll, the airplane accelerated to about 55 knots, at which point he began the initial climb. Several seconds later, at an altitude of about 100 ft above ground level, the engine began to sputter and felt like it “choked”. The pilot initiated a left turn to land on the parallel runway to the east. During the turn, the engine lost all power, and he was unable to maintain altitude. The airplane collided with the trees and came to rest about 500 ft east of the threshold for runway 34L. Throttle and mixture control continuity was established from the cockpit controls to the fuel servo and moved from stop to stop when actuated by hand. The mixture control cable was separated from the rod end, which remained attached to the fuel servo mixture arm. The damage to the mixture control cable was consistent with impact damage. A visual inspection of the fuel system revealed that continuity was established from the main fuel tanks throughout the system to the gascolator fuel fitting at the firewall. When the electric fuel pump was turned on, fuel expelled from the fuel fitting at the firewall. A visual inspection of the gascolator fuel revealed minor debris. The fuel was tested for water finding paste, with negative results. The engine’s crankshaft was rotated by hand, and continuity was established throughout the engine and valve train. Examination of the cylinders with a lighted borescope revealed no anomalies. Subsequent examination of the fuel flow divider and servo did not reveal any mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the mechanical fuel pump revealed that, the oil diaphragm had cracking along the outer edge and a tear about ½ inch in length was observed near the center. Oil was observed in the compensator diaphragm chamber; however, the fuel diaphragm was intact, and the fuel valves remained in place and both where unremarkable. The manufacturer reported that the tear and cracking on the oil diaphragm would not have an adverse effect on the engines ability to produce power. Examination of the recovered airframe and engine did not reveal evidence of any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2164Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2164Z-2023-12-30), registration cancelled 2023-12-30, S/N 172S9533, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172S - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S9533 - Year built: 2003 - Airframe hours: 4159 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Boeing Employees Flying Association Inc - Registered owner: Boeing Employees Flying Association Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 2020, 21 hours before - Destination: KYKM, Yakima, WA - Airport: PAE, Snohomish County (Paine Fld), runway 16R, 9,010 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 11, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 393 total, 90 in this make and model, 360 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.48 inHg - Observed at: KPAE, 1 nm away - METAR: SPECI KPAE 231618Z 27003KT 10SM SCT005 OVC023 06/04 A3048 RMK AO2 T00560039= ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 15, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102799. 12.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 4.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13353418&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13354055&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Yarnell%27s%20statement%20of%2023%20March%202021_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA telephone interview with kevin yarnell (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13849714&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20telephone%20interview%20with%20Kevin%20Yarnell_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Airframe and engine exam (item 4, PDF, 7 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13353970&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR21LA140%20Air%20Frame%20and%20Engine%20Exam-Rel.pdf - Fuel system components exam (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 488 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13606385&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR21LA140%20Fuel%20System%20Components%20Exam-Rel.pdf - Fuel pump exam (item 6, PDF, 4 pages, 824 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13831731&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR21LA140%20Fuel%20pump%20exam-Rel.pdf - Evidence control form fuel system (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13831926&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Evidence-Control-Form-Fuel%20system_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13849670&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20party%20form%20WPR21LA140-Lycoming_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 133 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13831916&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Release_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 10, PDF, 8 pages, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13831536&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20array-Rel.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.