Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX94LA277

HANFORD, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N61569

CESSNA 172

Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED AND OBTAINED AN ALTITUDE BETWEEN 5 AND 10 FEET WHEN THE PILOT REPORTED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT LANDED BACK ON THE RUNWAY, BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY AND PROCEEDED FOR 1,500 FEET BEFORE COLLIDING WITH A FENCE. HE REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. A FUEL ANALYSIS REVEALED NO FUEL CONTAMINATION NOR IMPROPER FUEL GRADE.

Factual Information

On July 6, 1994, at 2112 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172, N61569, collided with a fence at the Hanford Municipal airport in Hanford, California, during an attempted takeoff. The aircraft skidded about 1,500 feet before it came to rest on a median next to Highway 198. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated as a business flight from Hanford to Selma, California. The pilot reported that on takeoff from runway 32, at an altitude between 5 and 10 feet, the engine began losing power. He reduced power and landed back on the runway. The aircraft was unable to stop on the remaining runway and collided with the fence. The pilot reported no mechanical problems. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) review of the engine logbooks indicated no mechanical problems with the engine or any indication of engine damage from fuel detonation during previous inspections. A fuel sample from the aircraft was analyzed by Saybolt Inc. of Martinez, CA. The fuel was normal for an 80 octane fuel except for a higher octane and lead content. This was attributed to a mix of 80 octane and 100LL fuels.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT IN A TIMELY MANNER AFTER LANDING BACK ON THE RUNWAY FOLLOWING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports