Cessna Safety Record

The pilot's improper decision to unload passengers and leave the airplane unattended while the engine was running, and the passenger's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in an inadvertent encounter with a rotating propeller. A factor related to the accident was the impairment of the passenger due to alcohol.

the pilot's failure to either obtain a preflight weather report and forecast for the destination or to add additional fuel, which ultimately resulted in fuel exhaustion and collision with trees.

the loss of engine power due the separation of the number six cylinder as a result of a fatigue failure from the loosening of the cylinder attachment hardware.

The student pilot's improper use of carburetor heat, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during cruise flight. A factor was carburetor icing conditions.

The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain control of the airplane while executing a simulated engine failure on final approach. A factor was the windshear.

the dual student's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. Also causal was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision. Low altitude flight and rising terrain are contributing factors.

The pilot's failure to follow the checklist to ensure the fuel filler cap was secured resulting in fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power.

The loss of power due to disengagement of the magneto idler gear. Also causal was the improper reinstallation of the magneto during the annual inspection.

Loss of engine power for an undetermined reason during cruise and the unsuitable terrain for landing encountered by the pilot. The factors to the accident were the dark night, the corn crop, and the ditch.

The pilot's misjudgment of the distance/altitude to the touchdown point during landing, which resulted in an undershoot and collision with a river bank. A factor contributing to the accident was the presence of a river bank that formed the beginning of the runway threshold.

The pilot’s inadequate in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in a loss of engine power during an instrument approach to land, and an in-flight collision with a tree and terrain.

An inadequate pre-flight inspection by the pilot due to his failure to visually confirm fuel quantity prior to flight, and the resulting fuel exhaustion. Contributing factors were the pilot's improper use of the fuel management computer installed in the aircraft, and the tree located in the middle of the emergency landing field.

the pilot's improper procedures/directives, and the delayed activation of carburetor heat which resulted in the loss of engine power and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing factors include the carburetor icing conditions, and the rough/uneven and drop-off/descending terrain.

**This case was modified on 2/18/2016. Refer to the public docket for this accident to view the changes.** Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.