Accident Details
On March 19, 2022, at about 1935 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 172N airplane (registration N6332D) sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Talkeetna, Alaska. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Flight and Engine Power Loss
The pilot reported that the airplane had 20 gallons of fuel onboard before takeoff. After takeoff, when the airplane was about 150 to 200 feet above ground level, the engine lost total power. The pilot performed an emergency landing to a snow-covered field.
Landing and Damage
Upon touchdown, the nosewheel separated from the aircraft and the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and vertical stabilizer.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector was positioned to the left fuel tank. The pilot had reported that the airplane had 20 gallons of fuel onboard. During the examination, about 3 gallons of fuel were drained from the left tank, and 13 gallons were drained from the right fuel tank. Each tank had an unusable fuel quantity of 1.5 gallons. The Cessna Pilot’s Operating Handbook requires the fuel selector handle to be in the "both" position for takeoffs and landings. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the engine.