Accident Summary
At 1350 eastern daylight time on September 13, 2009, a Cessna 172N, registration N734TV, experienced a total loss of engine power while on base leg to land at Twin County Airport (HLX) in Hillsville, Virginia. The student pilot, who was flying solo, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged during the subsequent forced landing. The flight was conducted as an instructional flight under 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a Cessna 172N. The student pilot was the sole occupant. The purpose of the flight was a solo instructional trip from Twin County Airport to Mount Airy/Surry County Airport (MWK) in Mount Airy, North Carolina, and return.
Flight Details
The student pilot reported that the aircraft was fueled at HLX with at least 29 gallons of fuel. She departed HLX for MWK at 1330. Upon arrival at MWK, she performed three full stop landings. She then departed MWK for the return flight to HLX. After entering the downwind leg for landing, she applied carburetor heat and reduced engine power to 1,500 rpm.
Accident Sequence
While on the base leg of the landing pattern, the engine stopped. The student pilot conducted a forced landing in a field approximately one quarter of a mile from the airport. During the landing rollout, the airplane struck a ditch and flipped over inverted. The nose landing gear broke off within 60 feet of the initial touchdown point.
Post-Accident Examination
An FAA inspector examined the aircraft. The airframe and flight control systems showed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. The engine also exhibited no mechanical malfunctions. Fuel system examination revealed no contamination, and fuel was observed leaking from the fuel tanks.
Weather Information
The ambient temperature at the time was 73 degrees Fahrenheit, with a dew point of 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Review of an icing probability chart indicated that the chance of serious icing can occur in this temperature/dew point range.