Summary
On September 25, 1994, a Cessna 172D (N2830U) was involved in an incident near Alabaster, AL. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY SUMP THE FUEL SYSTEM DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION THAT RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER.
On September 25, 1994, at 1405 central daylight time, a Cessna 172D, N2830U, collided with the ground during a forced landing attempt at Shelby County Airport, Alabaster, Alabama. The personal flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage; the pilot and passenger were not injured. The accident occurred during the initial takeoff attempt from Alabaster.
According to the pilot, as the airplane climbed through 100 feet above ground level (agl), takeoff rpm dropped to 1700 rpm. Attempts to regain full engine power failed; the pilot selected a forced landing area in the clear cut section off the departure end of the runway.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ATL94LA177. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2830U.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY SUMP THE FUEL SYSTEM DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION THAT RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On September 25, 1994, at 1405 central daylight time, a Cessna 172D, N2830U, collided with the ground during a forced landing attempt at Shelby County Airport, Alabaster, Alabama. The personal flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage; the pilot and passenger were not injured. The accident occurred during the initial takeoff attempt from Alabaster.
According to the pilot, as the airplane climbed through 100 feet above ground level (agl), takeoff rpm dropped to 1700 rpm. Attempts to regain full engine power failed; the pilot selected a forced landing area in the clear cut section off the departure end of the runway. During the emergency landing, the airplane bounced once and nosed over when the nose wheel dug into the soft ground.
During the post-accident examination of the airplane, water was discovered in the fuel system and in the carburetor; the engine operated normally during the functional check. According to the pilot, the airplane was parked on a slope during the preflight inspection.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ATL94LA177