COLUMBIA FALLS, MT, USA
N3233L
CESSNA 172
THE STUDENT PILOT WAS COMPLETING A CROSS COUNTRY SOLO FLIGHT. HE REPORTED THAT WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE QUIT. HE SELECTED A FIELD AND MADE A FORCED LANDING. DURING LANDING ROLL, THE NOSE GEAR SANK INTO THE SOFT TERRAIN AND THE PLANE NOSED OVER, COMING TO REST INVERTED. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A FUEL SPILL AND NO FUEL IN THE TANKS. THE OWNER REPORTED THAT HE DISCOVERED ONE FUEL CAP INSTALLED IMPROPERLY, WHICH HE BELIEVES SIPHONED OUT FUEL DURING THE FLIGHT.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PREFLIGHT AND SECURE THE FUEL CAP WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF FUEL AND THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUTION. FACTOR WAS SOFT TERRAIN DURING FORCED LANDING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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