Incident Overview
On June 3, 2024, about 1055 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172K, registration N78445, was substantially damaged when it impacted wooded terrain near Terryville, Connecticut. The student pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.
Pilot Report
The student pilot reported that the airplane’s fuel tanks were full before her departure on a solo cross-country flight. Approximately halfway through the flight, while at an altitude of 5,500 ft mean sea level, the engine rpm began to decrease until the engine lost all power, and the propeller was not windmilling. The pilot attempted to restart the engine, but the propeller would not turn. She applied carburetor heat after the loss of engine power. The student pilot then diverted and attempted to glide to a nearby airport, but the airplane struck wooded terrain about 1 mile from the airport.
Examination Findings
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the accident site. The airplane came to rest inverted in a campground. Both wings and the fuselage were substantially damaged. The inspector noted that about three-fourths of the total fuel capacity remained onboard, and fuel was leaking from the wing fuel tanks, which were compromised during impact.
Review of an FAA carburetor icing chart indicated a risk of “Serious Icing – glide power” for the reported temperature and dew point at the time of the accident.
Engine Examination
The engine was subsequently examined at a recovery facility. Powertrain and valvetrain continuity were confirmed throughout the engine, and no anomalies were noted. The engine was started on the airframe and ran continuously at idle power without hesitation. Due to airframe damage and safety concerns, higher power settings were not attempted.