Key Biscayne, FL, USA
N80457
CESSNA 172
The flight instructor stated that, during the preflight inspection, he visually inspected both fuel tanks and checked the fuel level using a dipstick and that each tank contained about 15 gallons. Subsequently, the flight instructor and private pilot receiving instruction departed for an instrument training flight with the fuel selector positioned to the "both" position. The pilots flew to two different airports to practice instrument approaches and holding. About 2 hours 25 minutes after the airplane originally departed, the flight instructor chose to return to the departure airport. The instructor stated that, while east of the airport, the engine "sputtered" for about 2 to 3 seconds and then lost all power; the engine rpm then increased briefly to 1,500, followed by the loss of all engine power again. The pilot reported that, at that time, the left and right fuel gauges were in the lower red arc between 1/4 and 1/2 capacity, respectively. The pilots attempted to restore engine power by moving the fuel selector to each fuel tank position and checking the magnetos in each respective position to no avail. The instructor maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing on a road, during which it collided with trees and a light pole before landing hard. During postaccident examination of the airplane, less than 1 gallon of fuel was drained from the left fuel tank, and about 10 gallons of fuel were drained from the right fuel tank; the tanks were not breached, and no evidence of leakage was found. Further examination of the right fuel tank supply system revealed that the strainer was nearly completely blocked by organic material, which prevented the remaining fuel in the right fuel tank from feeding to the engine and likely resulted in the loss of all engine power due to fuel starvation. If either the flight instructor or the pilot had scanned the fuel quantity gauges periodically throughout the flight, they could have noticed the uneven fuel burn and performed a precautionary landing before the engine lost power.
On July 13, 2017, about 2320 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N80457, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a road near Key Biscayne, Florida. The flight instructor was not injured and the private pilot receiving instruction sustained minor injuries. The airplane was being operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the flight which originated from Miami Executive Airport (TMB), Miami, Florida, about 2055.The flight instructor stated that during the preflight inspection, both fuel tanks were visually inspected and also checked using a dipstick, and each tank contained about 15 gallons. The flight departed TMB with the fuel selector on the "both" position, and flew to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE), Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where the private pilot, who was receiving instruction for an instrument rating, executed a practice instrument approach that terminated with a full-stop landing. The airplane remained on the ground for about 15-18 minutes with the engine operating, then departed and flew to Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), West Palm Beach, Florida, where the private pilot executed another practice instrument approach, which terminated with a missed approach, and holding practice. About 2215, the flight instructor elected to return to TMB and requested visual flight rules flight following from air traffic control (ATC). The flight proceeded south, east to the coast, and then south along the shoreline. While flying near Key Biscayne with the engine operating between 2,300 and 2,350 rpm, the mixture control full rich, and the fuel selector on the same position it had been since the initial takeoff (both), the engine sputtered for about 2-3 seconds, lost power, then increased briefly to 1,500 rpm, before losing power again. The private pilot reported the left and right fuel gauges at that time were indicating in the lower red arc and between 1/4 and 1/2 capacity, respectively. Attempts to restore engine power consisted of moving the fuel selector to each fuel tank position, and checking the magnetos on each respective position, but engine power was not restored. The flight instructor declared an emergency with the ATC controller and requested assistance from emergency equipment. While descending for a forced landing to a road, the airplane collided with tree branches, and then a light pole, and came to rest within 25 to 30 ft of the touchdown point on the road. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, there was no evidence of fuel leakage or a breach of either fuel tank. Less than 1 gallon of fuel was drained from the left fuel tank, while about 10 gallons of fuel were drained from the right fuel tank. The airplane was recovered for further examination at a later date. Examination of the airplane following recovery revealed the right fuel tank strainer, part number 0422130 was nearly completely blocked by organic material.
The nearly complete blockage of the right fuel tank strainer with organic material, which resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent total loss of engine power. Contributing to the fuel starvation was the pilot receiving instruction’s and the flight instructor’s failure to identify that the fuel was burning unevenly during the flight.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
