Cessna 172 Safety Record

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident was a fuel tank cap that did not seal properly.

The pilot's improper preflight and in-flight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's loss of situational awareness while conducting the normal and emergency checklists during his turn from base to final approach, and the dark night condition.

The pilot's failure to maintain proper glide angle during the landing approach which resulted in a collision with a pole. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's lack of qualification, experience and the high density altitude.

On August 26, 2008, about 1100 local time, a Cessna 172, Ecuadorian registration HC-BKY, registered to an operated by Wings of Hope Incorporated, as a medical transport flight, crashed following a loss of engine power, while in cruise flight to Rio Amazonas Airport, Pastaza, Ecuador. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantial damage. The private-rated pilot and passenger received serious injuries. According to information obtained from the Ecuadorian Subdireccion de Aviacion Civil, the pilot reported total loss of engine power, while in cruise flight. He conducted an emergency landing, and crashed into trees. This investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Ecuador. Any further information can be obtained from: Direccion General de Aviacion Civil Buenos Aires 149 Y 10 de Agusto P.O. Box 2077 Quito, Republica del Ecuador Phone: 593-2-223-8981 Fax; 593-2- 223-8352 This information is for informational purposes only, and contains information released by, or obtained for the Government of Ecuador.

A partial loss of engine power during initial climb due to undetermined reasons, which led to an uncontrolled descent and subsequent aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper preflight decision to attempt the flight with a suspected engine problem.

The pilot's failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed during the initial climb as a result of his inadequate preflight planning and improper use of the mixture control. Contributing to the accident were the tailwind and high density altitude.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while on approach to landing that resulted in a stall/mush. Contributing to the accident was the wind shear and the high density altitude condition.

The spectator's inadvertent contact with the turning propeller while the airplane was standing with the engine operating. A contributing factor was the dark night conditions.

the pilot's selection of a runway favoring tailwind conditions, his delayed decision to go around, and his failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed during the aborted landing. Contributing factors were the tailwind and wind shear conditions encountered on final approach.

The pilot's improper fuel management resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation resulting in a forced landing, and collision with trees and the ground.

The flight instructor's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was a malfunction of the elevator control for an undetermined reason, which required excessive forward pressure on the yoke to maintain pitch control.

The pilot's mismanagement of available fuel and continued operation with the fuel selector set to the left tank position, which resulted in fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power.

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go-around, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent impact with terrain. [THIS REPORT WAS MODIFIED ON JUNE 10, 2008]

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the aborted landing, which resulted in an inadvertent stall at a low altitude. Factors to the accident were the pilot's lack of experience flying from the right pilot station and his failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout.

The pilot's failure to set the parking brake and his improper starting procedure which resulted in an unattended aircraft running away after hand starting the engine and the airplane colliding with parked airplanes, incurring substantial damage.