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NTSB Report
April 27, 1991 · Cessna 172 · N739EC
Meadville, PA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 27, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Meadville, PA
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N739EC
Operator
Baron Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC91LA121
THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY. WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 2000 FEET, THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT SAID, 'I DID THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND IT STARTED AGAIN, BUT IT QUIT VERY QUICKLY. I PICKED A FIELD TO LAND. IT WAS OK, UNTIL THE NOSE HIT SOME MUD AND FLIPPED ME OVER.' AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE BY THE FAA REVEALED NO DEFECTS. THE FAA REPORT SAID, 'THE ENGINE RUN UP SHOWED NO ABNORMAL READINGS...BOTH CARBURETOR AND FUEL SCREENS WERE...FREE OF CONTAMINATES...THE CARBURETOR HEAT, MIXTURE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CONTROL WERE INSPECTED: NO DEFECTS WERE NOTED.' THE LOCAL TEMPERATURE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED AS 70 DEGREES F, AND THE DEW POINT WAS 51 DEGREES F. WHEN PLOTTED ON THE FAA CHART 'CONDITIONS FAVORING CARB ICING,' THE RESULT SHOWS AREA NUMBER 2, SERIOUS ICING AT CRUISE POWER.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND THE SUBSEQUENT EMERGENCY FORCED LANDING IN ROUGH TERRAIN. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF EXPERIENCE OF THE STUDENT PILOT.
Full Narrative
THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY. WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 2000 FEET, THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT SAID, 'I DID THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND IT STARTED AGAIN, BUT IT QUIT VERY QUICKLY. I PICKED A FIELD TO LAND. IT WAS OK, UNTIL THE NOSE HIT SOME MUD AND FLIPPED ME OVER.' AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE BY THE FAA REVEALED NO DEFECTS. THE FAA REPORT SAID, 'THE ENGINE RUN UP SHOWED NO ABNORMAL READINGS...BOTH CARBURETOR AND FUEL SCREENS WERE...FREE OF CONTAMINATES...THE CARBURETOR HEAT, MIXTURE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CONTROL WERE INSPECTED: NO DEFECTS WERE NOTED.' THE LOCAL TEMPERATURE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED AS 70 DEGREES F, AND THE DEW POINT WAS 51 DEGREES F. WHEN PLOTTED ON THE FAA CHART 'CONDITIONS FAVORING CARB ICING,' THE RESULT SHOWS AREA NUMBER 2, SERIOUS ICING AT CRUISE POWER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN739EC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBaron Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110°
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 52
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO