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NTSB Report
April 7, 1991 · Cessna 172D · N2936U
Mocksville, NC
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 7, 1991
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Mocksville, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 172D
Tail Number
N2936U
Operator
Robbins James L
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL91FA077
DURING CRUISE FLIGHT IN NIGHT, VFR CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE REPORTEDLY QUIT. DURING THE FORCED LANDING ATTEMPT, THE AIRPLANE STALLED, THEN COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN A STEEP, NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE. POST-CRASH INVESTIGATION AND ENGINE RUN REVEALED THAT 6 OF THE 12 IGNITION HARNESS WIRE CIRCUITS WERE OPEN FROM THE MAGNETOS TO THE SPARK PLUGS. THE ENGINE WOULD RUN ON A TEST STAND, HOWEVER THREE CYLINDERS WERE COLD TO THE TOUCH AFTER THE RUN. ENGINE CONTINUITY WAS ESTABLISHED, AND THE MAGNETOS TESTED SATISFACTORILY ON A TEST BENCH. THE IGNITION HARNESS APPEARED OLD AND WORN, AND THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN FLOWN ONLY 41 HOURS IN THE PREVIOUS 4 YEARS.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO OPEN CIRCUITS IN THE IGNITION WIRING HARNESS, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING AIRSPEED DURING THE FORCED LANDING ATTEMPT. FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE DARK NIGHT LIGHTING CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
DURING CRUISE FLIGHT IN NIGHT, VFR CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE REPORTEDLY QUIT. DURING THE FORCED LANDING ATTEMPT, THE AIRPLANE STALLED, THEN COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN A STEEP, NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE. POST-CRASH INVESTIGATION AND ENGINE RUN REVEALED THAT 6 OF THE 12 IGNITION HARNESS WIRE CIRCUITS WERE OPEN FROM THE MAGNETOS TO THE SPARK PLUGS. THE ENGINE WOULD RUN ON A TEST STAND, HOWEVER THREE CYLINDERS WERE COLD TO THE TOUCH AFTER THE RUN. ENGINE CONTINUITY WAS ESTABLISHED, AND THE MAGNETOS TESTED SATISFACTORILY ON A TEST BENCH. THE IGNITION HARNESS APPEARED OLD AND WORN, AND THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN FLOWN ONLY 41 HOURS IN THE PREVIOUS 4 YEARS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172D
Tail NumberN2936U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRobbins James L
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind220° @ 4 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 50
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:49
Weather SourceWFAC