Accident Overview
On June 22, 2022, at about 1348 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, registration N9556H, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Lancaster, Ohio. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported performing a preflight inspection and confirming the fuel tanks were full and free of contamination, but he did not check the airframe fuel strainer. No discrepancies were noted during the engine run-up before takeoff. After takeoff, he turned onto the crosswind and downwind legs of the airport traffic pattern, flying between 1,600 and 1,700 ft mean sea level (msl). While between 1,600 and 1,650 ft msl, he applied carburetor heat and adjusted engine rpm to 2,000. Abeam the approach end of runway 28, he reduced power to 1,700 rpm, extended flaps to 10°, and heard radio calls from other aircraft transitioning the area. After turning onto the base leg, he noticed his sight picture was “not right” and could see the propeller blades rotating. Turning onto final approach with the engine not developing power, he determined the airplane would not reach the runway. He declared an emergency on the common traffic advisory frequency and noted a soybean field under the approach path. The airplane impacted about 2 ft below the top of a ditch and came to rest inverted.
Examination Findings
Following recovery, a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector examined the airframe and engine. Structural damage was noted to the fuselage, left wing, and aft empennage. The engine exhibited crankshaft, camshaft, and valvetrain continuity. No preimpact failure or malfunction was found in the air induction, ignition, or exhaust systems. No fuel contamination was present in the right fuel tank; the left fuel tank contained no fuel due to the airplane's resting position. Both fuel tank caps were vented, and the airframe fuel vent system functioned normally. The standpipe of the airframe fuel strainer had areas where the black coating had separated, exposing corroded base material. Black particles were present in fuel drained from the airframe fuel strainer and the carburetor bowl. The carburetor fuel inlet screen was blocked on the end opposite the inlet by “fibrous material.” Each wing fuel tank strainer contained a very slight amount of “fibrous material.” The carburetor heat control operated satisfactorily. Damage to the propeller precluded operational testing of the engine.
Maintenance Records
The airplane's last 100-hour inspection was performed on May 26, 2022. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accrued about 44 hours since that inspection.
Weather Information
An aviation weather surface observation at the accident airport about 5 minutes after the accident reported the temperature as 93°F and dew point as 73°F. According to FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) CE-09-35 – Carburetor Icing Prevention, these conditions were favorable for carburetor icing at glide and cruise power settings.