Accident Details
On October 3, 2010, at approximately 1100 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172D (N2593) was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following a loss of engine power during takeoff from Animas Airpark (00C) in Durango, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and passenger on board sustained minor injuries. The cross-country flight was originating at the time and was en route to Page, Arizona (PGA).
Pilot Account
In a telephone interview, the pilot stated that although he had considerable experience in Cessna 172s, this was an older "D" model and a rental airplane he had never flown before. He and his wife had flown from PGA to 00C two days prior without incident. The pilot reported that he took off from runway 19. When the airplane climbed about 200 feet and was at midfield, the engine lost power. He pushed the nose over to maintain airspeed and executed a forced landing in a river bottom.
According to the pilot's accident report, the fuel tanks were full and a preflight inspection revealed no anomalies. Prior to takeoff, the mixture was leaned for maximum takeoff power, the fuel selector was positioned on both tanks, flaps set to 10 degrees, and magnetos checked. The first takeoff attempt was aborted when the passenger's door popped open. The pilot taxied back, closed the door, and began the takeoff. The airplane rotated about halfway down the 5,010-foot runway. After climbing about 200 feet, the engine sputtered and then went silent. The pilot said there was no remaining runway and he was committed to going off the cliff at the south end of the mesa (the airport is situated on a mesa). The pilot enriched the mixture and applied carburetor heat; the engine sputtered again and then went silent. He shut off the fuel, leaned the mixture, and turned off the master switch. The pilot cleared a power line by dropping 20 degrees of flaps and using up elevator. The airplane hit a brush pile in a flat attitude and bounced 40 feet.
Post-Accident Inspection
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Salt Lake City Flight Standards District Office went to the accident site. The inspector interviewed the pilot and the fixed base operator. The fuel selector was found in the BOTH position; the pilot stated he had turned it to the OFF position. The accident report noted that the fuel selector on recent model 172s has left tank at 9 o'clock, right at 3 o'clock, both at 12 o'clock, and off at 6 o'clock, while earlier models had an L-shaped handle.
Engine Test
On December 30, 2010, the engine was functionally tested at Air Transport in Phoenix, Arizona. No anomalies were noted and full power was achieved.