Accident Summary
On January 8, 2022, about 1530 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172G airplane, registration N3964L, was substantially damaged when it struck trees during an off-runway landing near Youngstown, Ohio. The private pilot and two passengers sustained no injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a test flight.
Flight Details
The airplane was modified under a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved supplemental type certificate to use automotive fuel (MOGAS), which the pilot used before the flight. The pilot reported preflight fuel levels of 7 gallons in the right tank and less than 2 in the left, checked with a sight gauge. He added 3.8 gallons of automotive fuel to the left tank. The right fuel gauge indicated one quarter of a tank, and the left gauge indicated slightly less than half a tank.
The purpose of the flight was to verify the proper operation of a newly installed automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast system. After confirming its accuracy, the pilot entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. At midfield, he added 10° flaps and applied full carburetor heat. The engine then stumbled and quit. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The fuel tank selector remained in the BOTH position throughout.
With the engine inoperative, the pilot extended flaps to 40° and executed a teardrop-style left turn toward the runway. He reported being below the tree line but too high to touch down. The airplane floated long and landed beyond the runway into trees at stall speed, coming to rest with the left wing pointed down and the right wing up. The three occupants egressed without further incident.
Postaccident Examination
Substantial damage was noted to the left wing and fuselage. Both fuel tanks were intact with no signs of leakage. Postaccident draining yielded about a quarter gallon of fuel from the right tank and about 4 gallons from the left. The fuel selector was found in the BOTH position. Airframe-to-engine control continuity was confirmed, and examination of the engine revealed no mechanical anomalies.
Environmental Considerations
Review of meteorological conditions near the time of the accident indicated that carburetor icing was not likely for the usage of aviation gasoline. However, the FAA's Advisory Circular 91-33A notes that carburetor icing can occur more readily with automotive gasoline, at higher ambient temperatures and lower humidities than with aviation gasoline.