Cessna 172 RG N9647B

Summary

On 3 August 1997 at about 22:15 local time, a Cessna 172 RG registered N9647B, operated by Mercury Flight Center, was involved in an accident near Quinton, Virginia, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 August 1997 at 22:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Quinton, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

New Kent County (W96)

Coordinates

37.5296, -77.1098

Aircraft

Cessna 172 RG

Registration

N9647B

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Mercury Flight Center

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Norfolk → Richmond

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC97LA158

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to identify an unsafe landing gear condition. A factor in the accident was the loss of electrical power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was in cruise flight when he discovered that neither the radios nor the fuel gauges were operating. The airplane had flown approximately one hour on full fuel tanks. The pilot chose to make a precautionary landing at an airport 10 miles prior to his destination. The pilot stated that he lowered the landing gear '...and received what I thought was a safe gear indication.' Two witnesses stated they saw the airplane over the runway with the main landing gear out of the wheel wells, but not completely down and locked. Before they could advise the pilot over the radio, the airplane touched down. After touchdown, the main gear collapsed and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. In a written statement, the pilot said, 'During the flight, I didn't notice the low voltage light on the ammeter.' The examination of the airplane included a check of the battery voltage which showed 19.5 volts. This reading immediately dropped to 9 volts when the master switch was turned on. The gear warning horn operated when the throttle was retarded. The low voltage light illuminated, however it was difficult to see without shielding it from the sunlight. The battery was placed on a charger and the engine was started. The ammeter showed a positive charge, indicating the alternator was operating.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.