Cessna 172K N79491

Summary

On 19 September 2003 at about 16:55 local time, a Cessna 172K registered N79491 was involved in an accident near Ocean Springs, Mississippi, United States. One person was 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

19 September 2003 at 16:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Ocean Springs, Mississippi, United States

Coordinates

30.3333, -88.7000

Aircraft

Cessna 172K

Registration

N79491

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pascagoula → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA03LA185

Nobody was injured.

The failure of the pilot to transfer fuel from the auxiliary fuel tank to the right main fuel tank in-flight resulting in total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he flew the accident airplane 2 days before the accident date for approximately 4.0 hours and after landing, the airplane was serviced. He also flew the accident airplane the day before the accident date a total of 5.5 hours; after landing a total of 37.0 gallons of fuel were added to the fuel tanks. On the morning of the accident, he arrived at the departure airport about 0800, and departed about 0905. Approximately 1 hour 25 minutes after takeoff (about 1030), he began transferring fuel from the auxiliary fuel tank. The flight continued and at about 1140, he proceeded to return to the departure airport for shift change. Approximately 15 minutes later, he experienced, "engine trouble" which consisted of, "spitting and sputtering." He switched the fuel selector back and forth numerous times with no response, along with switching the electric fuel transfer switch on and off, with no effect. He reported the fuel transfer switch had been on since 1030 hours. He initiated emergency procedures, ditched the airplane which went inverted after touchdown, and exited the airplane. The pilot reported to FAA personnel that he believed there was a malfunction with the auxiliary fuel tank pump which transfers fuel to the right fuel tank. Examination of the airplane the day after the accident by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed both fuel tanks contained approximately 1/4 quart of fuel; the fuel drained from the left tank was reported to be cloudy, while approximately 1/2 quart of water was also drained from the right fuel tank. The gascolator was noted to have a thimbleful of clean fuel. The installed auxiliary fuel tank which was installed in accordance with a Supplemental Type Certificate in December 1989, was noted to be nearly full of fuel. Operational testing of the auxiliary fuel tank pump was successful; the pump transferred approximately 15 gallons of fuel into the right fuel tank in about a 3-hour period. According to the STC holder, the transfer pump is designed to transfer 8-gallons of fuel per hour into the right main fuel tank.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.