Cessna 172 N4406L

Summary

On 27 June 2002 at about 22:30 local time, a Cessna 172 registered N4406L, operated by Norman E. Lasater, was involved in an accident near Perry, Georgia, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 June 2002 at 22:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Perry, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Middle Georgia (68GA)

Coordinates

32.5106, -83.7672

Aircraft

Cessna 172

Registration

N4406L

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Norman E. Lasater

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Flight Test

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Perry → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL02LA135

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection that resulted in fuel starvation due to fuel system contamination and the subsequent loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot while returning from a local flight the engine lost power. During the forced landing the airplane struck power lines. No prior flight control or mechanical problems were reported. A large quantity of dirt was found during the visual examination of the fuel tanks. The fuel strainer and the carburetor fuel screen also contained dirt. The pilot did not report completing a preflight inspection of the before the flight. According to the Cessna 172 owner's manual, on the first flight of the day or after refueling, during the exterior inspection of the airplane, the fuel strainer should be drained to clear the fuel system of possible water and sediment.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.