Cessna 172 accident near Pahrump, Nevada, January 30, 2010
On January 30, 2010 at about 5:45 pm local time, a Cessna 172, registered N8959B, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Pahrump, Nevada (North Las Vegas Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Fuel starvation as a result of the improper installation of the carburetor float valve by unknown personnel.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 30, 2010 · about 5:45 pm local time
- Place
- Pahrump, Nevada · North Las Vegas Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 U · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N8959B · no longer on the register · serial 36659
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that about 10-15 minutes after departure he heard three loud "pops" and the engine rpm dropped to about 1200. The pilot attempted to restart the engine by adjusting the fuel selector, mixture, and throttle, but was unsuccessful. The pilot initiated a forced landing to desert terrain. As the airplane touched down, the nose landing gear sunk into the ground and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. A postaccident examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the carburetor float valve was improperly installed, which restricted fuel flow to the engine. According to a Continental Motors representative, the carburetor overhaul requirements were the same as specified for the engine; 10 to 12 years since placed in service or last overhauled, whichever comes first. A review of the aircraft logbooks revealed no entries pertaining to the maintenance or overhaul of the carburetor.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Nose over/nose down during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Maintenance/inspections › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › (general) › Malfunction
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Other/unknown
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 143 hours in all; 143 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 72 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 13, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,884 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 27, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors O-300 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Chapter 163 Flying Club
The flight
- Departed from: L61 Shoshone Airpor CA at 5:30 pm
- Destination: VGT Las Vegas NV
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from VGT, 40 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.