N. STONINGTON, CT, USA
N4980G
CESSNA 172N
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE DURING A GO-AROUND AT NIGHT FOLLOWING A DOWNWIND PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. DURING THE FLT THE PLT HAD NOTED THE FUEL GAUGES AT LOW READINGS AND SAID HE SUSPECTED A 'FUEL LEAK'. HE MADE RADIO CALLS TO TRY TO GO TO AN ARPT BEFORE FUEL EXHAUSTION. SHORTLY AFTER RADIO CONTACT WAS MADE COMMUNICATIONS WERE LOST AND AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED. THE PLT DESCENDED BELOW THE CLOUDS. HE ABANDONED ONE APPROACH BECAUSE THE FIELD LOOKED 'SHORT AND SOGGY.' THE NEXT APPROACH TO ANOTHER FIELD WAS MISSED HE SAID BECAUSE OF A TAILWIND. DURING GO-AROUND THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT SHOWED THE ALTERNATOR CIRCUIT BREAKERPOPPED. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REMOVED AND TESTED. IT PRODUCED A VOLTAGE INDICATION AT 700 RPMS TO 4500 RPMS. MAXIMUM VOLTAGE WAS 30 VOLTS. THE LOW VOLTAGE LIGHT BULB WAS INCORRECT AND THE WIRING WAS DISCONNECTED. THE WEATHER AT ACCIDENT TIME WAS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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