Cessna 172C N1680Y

Summary

On 27 August 2005 at about 13:15 local time, a Cessna 172C registered N1680Y was involved in an accident near Winthrop, Maine, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 August 2005 at 13:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Winthrop, Maine, United States

Nearest airport

Bowman Field (B10)

Coordinates

44.2819, -70.0072

Aircraft

Cessna 172C

Registration

N1680Y

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Livermore Falls → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC05FA138

1 person died.

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, and a subsequent forced landing and impact with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane was owned by the pilot and he departed from his home airport without incident. Approximately 30 minutes later, witnesses observed the airplane descending toward a field. They further reported that they did not hear any engine noise, and the propeller was not turning, or turning "very slowly." The airplane's left wing struck a tree, before it rolled and "nose dived" to the ground. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. Both fuel tanks remained intact. Approximately 2 to 2.5 gallons of yellow colored fuel was drained from both fuel tanks. A placard for automotive gasoline was observed near the fuel tank caps. The gascolator was drained and contained sediment and water. In addition, the carburetor contained about 1 ounce of fuel, with some sediment, and water. The time and quantity of the airplane's last refueling could not be determined. According to the owner's manual, the total fuel capacity was 39 gallons, with a total usable fuel in all flight conditions of 36 gallons. Two additional gallons of fuel was usable in level flight, and one gallon of fuel was unusable. Review of maintenance records revealed that the airplane's most recent inspection was a 100-hour inspection that was performed about 22 months prior to the accident. The airplane had been operated about 65 hours since the inspection.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.