Pingree, ID, USA
CFDGH
Cessna 172M
The pilot departed Edmonton, Canada, with his passenger in the Cessna 172M, with 48 gallons of usable fuel aboard. The trip included 2 stops before terminating at the end of the first day having flown 3 hours and 34 minutes. The pilot added 12 gallons of fuel at his stopover. The following day he and his passenger departed on the next leg of the trip (Great Falls, MT, to Pocatello, ID). The engine quit after not less than 6 hours 51 minutes of operation on a total of 60 gallons of usable fuel. On site examination revealed no evidence of fuel in either fuel tank or spilled/leaked at the site, and only 4.5 ounces of fuel were retrieved from fuel lines. The landing site was characterized by soft furrows in a field and the furrows were observed to change direction (from parallel) during the ground roll of the aircraft. The pilot reported in a written statement that "...The pilot had thoughts of landing at Idaho Falls but decided to fly as flight planned...!"
On June 1, 2001, approximately 1315 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172M, C-FDGH, registered to Dan Air Limited, and being flown by a Canadian certificated commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during a forced landing following a total loss of power while on a descent for landing near Pingree, Idaho. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and a VFR flight plan was in effect. The flight, which was personal, was operated under 14 CFR 91 and, according to the pilot, departed from Great Falls, Montana, at 0954 on the morning of the accident. The pilot reported that he departed Edmonton (CYXD), Alberta, with full fuel (48 gallons useable) stopping at Drumheller (CEG4), Alberta, Cut Bank (KCTB), Montana, and finally Great Falls (KGTF), Montana. He then reported purchasing 12 gallons of fuel and departed for Pocatello, Idaho. Approximately 20 miles out of Pocatello the engine abruptly stopped and the pilot was unable to achieve a restart. He executed a forced landing in a potato field. During the rollout, the soft dry furrows in the field changed orientation slightly and the aircraft nosed over. The pilot reported in his statement (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) the following flight times and fuel loads associated with the trip: FLIGHT LEG: TIME EN ROUTE*: FUELING: CYXD-CEG4 1 hrs 10 minutes Departed with 48 gallons usable CEG4-KCTB 1 hrs 35 minutes No fuel added KCTB-KGTF 0 hrs 49 minutes 12 gallons fuel added KGTF-SITE 3 hrs 16 minutes TOTALS: 6 hrs 51 minutes 60 gallons usable *Does not include taxi and run up time. The pilot further reported in his statement: "...At approximately 13:00, shortly after passing Dubois VOR, Idaho Falls tower frequency was tuned in. The pilot had thoughts of landing at Idaho Falls but decided to fly as flight planned! FSS was then contacted to extend flight plan by 30 minutes. C-FDGH commenced to descend out of 8,500 feet. At twenty (20) statue [sic] miles out, Pocatello tower was contacted with the intention to land. When out of 7,000 feet and about fifteen statue [sic] miles from Pocatello, the engine quit...." A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Salt Lake City Flight Standards District Office examined the aircraft and it was subsequently recovered from the accident site and transported to the Pocatello Airport. During the examination and recovery process no fuel spillage was noted, and no fuel was found within either wing tank. There was no evidence of a fuel spill at the site and no odor of fuel. The 5/8 inch diameter fuel supply line between the gascolator and carburetor was removed and approximately 4.5 ounces of fuel was retrieved (refer to attached statement).
The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision by failing to refuel while en route, resulting in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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