Cessna 172G N202EX

Summary

On 17 November 1997 at about 16:30 local time, a Cessna 172G registered N202EX was involved in an accident near Van, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 November 1997 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Van, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Private Strip (PVT)

Coordinates

32.5205, -95.6303

Aircraft

Cessna 172G

Registration

N202EX

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW98LA050

2 people had minor injuries.

fuel starvation, resulting from restricted carburetor float travel, due to improper maintenance installation. The encounter with a power line was related factor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane impacted terrain during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power. The pilot reported that this was the first 'test' flight, following repair and re-assembly of the airplane, since its previous accident, which occurred on 5/9/96. The pilot stated that he took off from runway 04, and during the initial climb-out phase at about 150 feet AGL, a complete loss of engine power occurred. The pilot reported that he 'pumped' the throttle, and there was a 'momentary burst' of power. The pilot stated that he continued to pump the throttle, but this did not yield further results. The pilot then executed a forced landing. The pilot banked the airplane to the left, and it contacted power lines. The airplane then impacted the ground, turned 180 degrees, and came to rest upright, adjacent to a line of trees. Examination of the carburetor revealed that the float valve retractor clip was improperly installed, which restricted float travel. The float drop was improperly set at 1.5 inches. The proper setting was between 1.72 to 1.78 inches. The restricted float travel resulted in fuel starvation to the engine and subsequent loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.