Accident Overview
On February 2, 2013, at approximately 1630 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172M, registration N1421V, was substantially damaged during a forced landing on rough terrain in the Aravaipa Canyon, about 26 miles north-northwest of Wilcox, Arizona. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Flight History
The accident occurred on the last leg of a multi-leg cross-country flight that originated from Globe, Arizona, at 1500, with a planned destination of Benson Municipal Airport in Benson, Arizona.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated in a written report to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) that at about 2,000 feet above ground level, the engine suddenly lost power. He moved the fuel selector handle from the "Both" position to the "Right" tank position because the right wing fuel gauge indicated about half a tank. Despite his efforts, the engine could not be restarted, and he initiated a forced landing onto rough terrain. During the landing roll, the nose landing gear dug into the terrain, causing the airplane to nose over. The pilot reported having about 12 gallons of fuel in the left tank and 18 gallons in the right tank before departure.
Post-Accident Examination
The wreckage was removed from the accident site and transported to a secure facility for examination. According to the recovery team, both wing fuel tanks were empty, and the soil underneath the wings was saturated with fuel.
The recovered engine and airframe were examined by representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration and the NTSB investigator-in-charge. Examination revealed that the empennage section, fuselage, and wings were buckled, and the vertical stabilizer and rudder were crushed downward. The airframe fuel system was examined and found to have no anomalies. The engine was prepared for a test run on the airframe and ran smoothly for several minutes. The examination found no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.