Accident Cessna 172N VH-KGA, Tuesday 22 January 1985

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Date:	Tuesday 22 January 1985
Time:	15:55
Type:	Cessna 172N
Owner/operator:
Registration:	VH-KGA
MSN:
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	34km SW of Esperance, WA - Australia
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	YESP
Destination airport:	YESP
Investigating agency:	BASI
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
As part of his pre-flight inspection, the pilot completed a water check on each of the wing tanks and operated the fuel strainer knob, although a sample was not drawn from this point. During the flight the pilot noticed a strong smell of fuel and as he turned back towards the departure aerodrome the engine lost power. The pilot carried out a forced landing into an area of dense light timber, during which the aircraft struck several trees. The fuel strainer drain was found to be open due to a kink in the operating cable and the pilot had not checked that the drain had closed after its operation during the pre-flight inspection. During flight loss of fuel through the strainer drain resulted in a gradual loss of fuel pressure and the engine lost power due to fuel starvation after about 40 minutes of flight.

Accident investigation: