Accident Sequence
On December 3, 2019, about 2130 central standard time, a Cessna 172L, registration N2876Q, sustained substantial damage in an accident near Potts Camp, Mississippi. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was seriously injured. The airplane was operated under Part 91 as a personal flight.
Earlier that day, the pilot had completed an instructional flight from Olive Branch Airport (OLV) to Tupelo Regional Airport (TUP) and back, landing at OLV around 1400. After refueling with 12.8 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel, bringing the total to about 40 gallons, the pilot later departed on a solo night flight around 1900. He flew to McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport (MKL) in Jackson, Tennessee, for sightseeing, then proceeded to TUP for a touch-and-go landing before returning to OLV at a cruise altitude of 3,000 feet mean sea level.
About 20 minutes after departing TUP (approximately 2 hours after departing OLV), the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot declared an emergency with Memphis air traffic control. He restarted the engine by establishing best glide speed and activating carburetor heat. The controller provided heading and distance to Holly Springs-Marshall County Airport (M41), about 17 miles away. The pilot headed toward M41 but the engine failed again about 5 minutes after restart.
The controller asked if the pilot was familiar with Highway 78, which he confirmed and reported in sight. During approach, the airplane cleared a bridge, but airspeed degraded. The pilot decided to land on the left side of the road before a second bridge, attempting to avoid a concrete structure. The airplane bounced on landing, struck terrain, and flipped over, coming to rest inverted.
Post-Accident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the wreckage. Both wings were deformed; the right wing folded down about 12 inches outboard of the wing strut, damaging the wing spar. The nose landing gear was sheared off, and the bottom of the engine compartment and airframe sustained multiple buckles. The two-blade metal propeller was undamaged, and the spinner was crushed uniformly. Approximately 18 gallons of fuel was recovered: 13 gallons in the left tank and 5 in the right, with fuel observed in the fuel bowl.
A comprehensive engine examination confirmed crankshaft continuity through 720° of rotation, with thumb compression on all cylinders. Spark plugs showed normal wear and light gray color. About 6 quarts of oil were present, and the oil filter showed no foreign material. Magnetos produced spark. Fuel was found in the gascolator and carburetor, with no anomalies in carburetor or accelerator pump function. No water was detected, and the fuel selector functioned normally. The carburetor heat control was in the ON position and attached. The examination found no evidence of preimpact mechanical anomalies that would preclude normal engine operation.
Weather Information
According to the FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) CE-09-35 Carburetor Icing chart, the weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious carburetor icing at cruise power settings.