NTSB Factual Report

**This case was modified on 2/18/2016. Refer to the public docket for this accident to view the changes.**

On September 3, 2003, about 1340 central daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N52615, owned and operated by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Department, impacted with trees while maneuvering, near Jay, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the public-use flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial-rated pilot and one passenger/observer reported serious injuries. The flight had originated from Milton Airport, about 1015 earlier that day, with a stop at the airport in Jay, Florida, to pick up the passenger/observer.

According to the pilot, he was performing aerial observation work, in a left hand circular pattern, at an altitude of 500 to 550 feet. He flew through an area of turbulence which he perceived to be prop wash from the previous circle. He rolled wings level and added full power to climb out of the turbulence, the engine did not respond to the power setting. The aircraft "settled" and went down in an area of pine trees.

The passenger/observer seated in the back seat stated he looked up front to see the pilot "fighting with the controls", shortly after this the airplane descended into the tree tops and impacted the ground. After the crash, he said he "could smell the fuel leaking from the plane" and voiced his concern to the pilot about the fire hazard.

Rescue personnel that responded to the accident stated that there was no odor of fuel or any other unusual smell present at the accident site. The fuel selector was found in the both position and rescue personnel turned it off for safety reasons.

The Federal Aviation Administration inspector's report included a statement from the pilot that during the left bank maneuver he had a flap setting of 10 to 20 degrees. At the time of full power advancement, there was an indicated air speed of 55 to 58 knots and with the engine reading 2,000 rpm when the engine did not respond. The airplane impacted trees at the 40 foot level and had an energy path of approximately 240 degrees. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that the right fuel quantity gage had been inoperative for some time.

The airplane manufacturer's report stated that control cable continuity was established between all control surfaces. The inspection of the fuel system revealed small amounts of fuel in the fuel line to the carburetor, in the carburetor, and in the gascolator. This fuel was blue in color and an on-site test found it to be free of water. The gascolator, engine fuel filter screens, and left and right fuel tank screens were found to be clear of debris. Fuel line continuity was established for both wings and both fuel tank pickups. Both the left and right fuel tanks were found to be intact with no breaches observed. The fuel vent continuity was also established between the left and right fuel tank inner connect fuel lines.

The engine manufacturer's report stated that control cable continuity was established between the engine and the cockpit. No signs of fuel leakage were present on the ground surrounding the crash site or on the fuel system lines or hoses. Photographs of the wreckage taken by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Department about 3 hours after the accident showed a large blue fuel stain on the right-wing surface beginning at the vented fuel tank filler cap and extending to the wing leading edge.

After removing the engine from the airplane during the on-scene examination the next day, 1.5 gallons of fuel was drained through the fuel gascolator with the fuel selector in the left position, according to the airplane manufacturer's report. Some debris was observed in the fuel drained from the left wing, the airplane manufacturer's report stated. A small amount of fuel was observed in the right tank, but no significant amount was drained from the right tank. The airplane had been in an extreme nose-low position for approximately 42 hours before investigators drained the fuel tanks. The fuel selector was tested in all positions while the fuel was drained. Four ounces of fuel were found in the line supplying the carburetor, 2 ounces of fuel were found in the carburetor bowl, and 1 ounce of fuel was found in the gascolator. The engine had a full supply of clean oil and the oil suction screen was clean. During a partial teardown of the engine, no problems were found with the engine itself and the report states that "no evidence of any pre-impact mechanical failure or malfunction was found." The engine was recovered in runable condition.

The airplane was flown for 4.1 hours on August 25, 2003, and not refueled. Records indicated that the airplane's fuel tanks were topped off with 32.71 gallons on August 29. The airplane was flown a total of 2 hours on August 29 and was refueled with 15.93 gallons the same day. This was the last recorded fueling. On September 3, the airplane was flown a total of 2.2 hours before the accident. According to the Cessna 172 Pilot Information Manual, the airplane has a fuel capacity of 43 gallons, of which 40 gallons are usable. A review of the airplane's flight indicated that the airplane had an average fuel burn of 7.98 gallons per hour.

NTSB Probable Cause

**This case was modified on 2/18/2016. Refer to the public docket for this accident to view the changes.**

Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.