Accident Overview
On April 20, 2008, at 2100 central daylight time, a Cessna 172L, registration N9832G, operated by the Green Castle Aero Club Ltd., sustained substantial damage during an emergency landing. The airplane nosed over in a field about 2.5 miles north of Fairfax, Iowa, after a loss of engine power. The pilot received minor injuries and the passenger received serious injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight originated from Green Castle Airport (IA24), Oxford, Iowa, after 1800, with IA24 as the final destination. Night visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed; no flight plan was filed.
Flight Details
The Green Castle Aero Club maintained flight logs for each airplane. The log for N9832G indicated it was checked out twice on the day of the accident. The first flight lasted 1.1 hours on the Hobbs meter. The pilot of the first flight reported arriving at the airport in the afternoon with three friends. During preflight, he checked the fuel by looking into the tank and noted the quantity was "on the low side." He added 18.2 gallons as indicated by the flight log, fueling both wing tanks so the fuel level was about 2 inches from the fuel cap. He stated each wing was about 2–3 gallons short of being fully topped off. The general practice at the club was for pilots not to fuel after flights; the next pilot was responsible. The first pilot flew for 1.1 hours and landed about 1645, without adding fuel after landing. The airplane operated normally during the flight.
The accident flight logged 2.9 hours on the Hobbs meter. The accident pilot did not add fuel before takeoff. The passenger reported departing IA24 after 1800, flying to Ottumwa, Iowa (about 50 nm), then to Waterloo Regional Airport (ALO), Waterloo, Iowa (about 87 nm). They picked up two other passengers, flew at ALO for about 30 minutes, then deplaned them. The third leg was to return to IA24 (about 58 nm).
Accident Sequence
The pilot reported that while en route to IA24 at 3,000 feet mean sea level (msl), the engine lost approximately 50 percent of its power, and he was unable to maintain altitude. After traveling about 5 miles, the engine quit, and the pilot executed a forced landing to a field. The passenger reported that when the engine started running rough, the pilot contacted air traffic control at Eastern Iowa Airport (CID), Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and notified the controller he was executing a forced landing. The pilot attempted to land on a gravel road but saw power lines and landed in a field. The airplane hit hard, bounced, hit again, and nosed over. After exiting, the passenger rested on the wing while waiting for help. The first responder arrived while the pilot was calling 911.
Post-Accident Inspection
The first responder, a fireman living about 1 mile away, provided medical aid to the passenger who thought she had broken ribs. He and the pilot surveyed the area for hazards; no fuel leaking was seen or smelled. The fireman reported the pilot said both fuel gauges read 1/4 full, estimating about 1 hour of fuel remaining. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors examined the airplane. All three landing gear initially impacted the soft field, with ground scars about 60 feet away. The nose gear sank into the muddy field and the nose tire assembly separated. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Flight control cable continuity was confirmed. Wing flaps were retracted (up). No evidence of fuel was found at the site. Left and right fuel caps were installed; no signs of fresh fuel leaks. No fuel staining at the carburetor.
According to the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH), the airplane held 38 gallons total, with 36 gallons usable. The first pilot estimated departing with about 34 gallons total (32 usable). He flew 1.1 hours. The POH indicates about 9.7 gallons consumed on that flight (7.9 gph cruise at 2,500 ft msl plus 1 gallon climb). Estimated remaining fuel after first flight: 24.3 gallons total (22.3 usable). The accident pilot logged 2.9 hours. Estimated fuel consumed: about 22.9 gallons cruise plus 1 gallon climb = 23.9 gallons.