Accident Details
On January 3, 2015, at approximately 1650 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172D, registration N2948U, encountered a partial loss of engine power while descending toward Fresno Chandler Municipal Airport in Fresno, California. The airplane subsequently collided with a power line during a forced landing. The private pilot and a passenger were not injured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the tail section.
The flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight had originated from Oceano County Airport in Oceano, California, at 1600. The pilot had flown from Fresno earlier that day and was returning.
Pilot Actions
About 40 minutes after takeoff, the pilot began the descent. When the airplane was approximately 3 miles from the runway, the engine partially lost power. The pilot set the mixture to full rich and applied carburetor heat. Despite these actions, engine power dropped to idle. Manipulating the throttle lever yielded momentary power regain, but the airplane could not maintain altitude. The pilot executed a forced landing to a nearby open field. During the approach, the airplane struck unseen power lines before touching down.
The pilot reported that the fuel gauge indicated the left wing tank was empty, while the right wing tank showed between one-quarter and one-half fuel remaining.
Post-Accident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the engine and fuel system. The fuel strainer showed no signs of fuel. The main fuel line from the strainer to the carburetor was also dry. Both fuel tanks were inspected and found empty.
The National Transportation Safety Board examined the carburetor. It was intact and undamaged. The throttle control arm moved freely from stop to stop. The carburetor was disassembled; the accelerator pump functioned normally, metal floats were intact, the needle valve and seat were undamaged, and the float bowl was free of debris. No debris was found in the mixture metering sleeve.