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NTSB Report
November 3, 1990 · Cessna 172N · N902ZZ
Elkton, VA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 3, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Elkton, VA
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N902ZZ
Operator
Hanover Aviation
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO91LA009
THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE DESCENDED INTO A VALLEY AND THEN HE APPLIED FULL POWER TO CLIMB. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, SHORTLY AFTER HE APPLIED POWER, THE ENGINE PARTIALLY LOST POWER. DECREASING TO ABOUT 1650 RPM. THE PLT DECIDED THAT TOTAL POWER LOST WAS IMMINENT, SO HE LANDED STRAIGHT HEAD INTO TREES ON STEEP SLOPING TERRAIN. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE DID NOT USE CARBURETOR HEAT. THE ENGINE OPERATED SATISFACTORILY DURING THE POST-ACCIDENT TEST. THE LOCAL TEMPERATURE/DEW POINT WAS 77/42 DEGS F. CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO INDUCTION ICING, ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY DATA.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT WHICH RESULTED IN A REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER. A FACTOR WAS THE ROUGH TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE DESCENDED INTO A VALLEY AND THEN HE APPLIED FULL POWER TO CLIMB. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, SHORTLY AFTER HE APPLIED POWER, THE ENGINE PARTIALLY LOST POWER. DECREASING TO ABOUT 1650 RPM. THE PLT DECIDED THAT TOTAL POWER LOST WAS IMMINENT, SO HE LANDED STRAIGHT HEAD INTO TREES ON STEEP SLOPING TERRAIN. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE DID NOT USE CARBURETOR HEAT. THE ENGINE OPERATED SATISFACTORILY DURING THE POST-ACCIDENT TEST. THE LOCAL TEMPERATURE/DEW POINT WAS 77/42 DEGS F. CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO INDUCTION ICING, ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY DATA.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN902ZZ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHanover Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 6 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:45