CESSNA 172M
Bardstown, KY — August 30, 2012
Event Information
| Date | August 30, 2012 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ERA12CA546 |
| Event ID | 20120906X03759 |
| Location | Bardstown, KY |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 37.80861, -85.49306 |
| Airport | Samuels Field Airport |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | CESSNA |
| Model | 172M |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The flight instructor's decision to turn the fuel selector to the off position and his delayed remedial actions to restart the engine, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent forced landing.
Full Narrative
According to the flight instructor, he and the student pilot were practicing maneuvers approximately 2,500 feet above ground level. The flight instructor decided to practice simulated engine failure procedures within the vicinity of the airport and turned the fuel selector to the "OFF" position. The student pilot trimmed the airplane for best glide speed, initiated a turn toward the airport, and then took time to locate the pilot operating handbook in order to follow the emergency procedure. In addition, the student pilot could not locate the exact position of the airport until the flight instructor directed him. The student pilot unsuccessfully attempted to restart the engine and the flight instructor took control of the airplane. Then, the flight instructor unsuccessfully attempted to restart the engine, and subsequently selected a field to land to perform a forced landing. During the landing, the nose landing gear impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall. The student pilot/mechanic of the airplane reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.