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NTSB Report
March 11, 1989 · Cessna 172M · N13188
Sanford, NC
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 11, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Sanford, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N13188
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL89LA103
THE PRIVATE PILOT HAD OBTAINED HIS PILOT CERTIFICATE ABOUT SIX WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. HE HAD LOGGED ABOUT 53 PILOT HOURS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. HE HAD ABOUT 4 HOURS IN THE C-172 AND HAD JUST CHECKED OUT IN IT. THE PLT HAD TAKEN HIS BROTHER AND A FRIEND FOR A RIDE IN THE LOCAL AREA FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. UPON RETURNING TO THE FIELD, HE MADE A TRAFFIC PATTERN AND DURING THE TURN FROM DOWN WIND TO BASE TRIED TO ADD POWER TO CORRECT FOR LOW ALTITUDE. THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. HE LANDED IN A PLOWED GARDEN AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ENGINE WAS INSPECTED AND A RUN PERFORMED. IT OPERATED SATISFACTORILY. ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE. THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL WAS FOUND IN THE COLD POSITION.
NTSB Probable Cause
CARBURETOR ICE DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROPERLY USE THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL DURING DESCENT AND FLIGHT IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERNS AT REDUCED POWER. UNDERLYING THIS IS INADEQUATE TRAINING IN THE PROPER UNDERSTANDING OF CARBURETOR ICING AND THE PROPER METHODOLOGY OF DEALING WITH THIS PHENOMENON.
Full Narrative
THE PRIVATE PILOT HAD OBTAINED HIS PILOT CERTIFICATE ABOUT SIX WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. HE HAD LOGGED ABOUT 53 PILOT HOURS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. HE HAD ABOUT 4 HOURS IN THE C-172 AND HAD JUST CHECKED OUT IN IT. THE PLT HAD TAKEN HIS BROTHER AND A FRIEND FOR A RIDE IN THE LOCAL AREA FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. UPON RETURNING TO THE FIELD, HE MADE A TRAFFIC PATTERN AND DURING THE TURN FROM DOWN WIND TO BASE TRIED TO ADD POWER TO CORRECT FOR LOW ALTITUDE. THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. HE LANDED IN A PLOWED GARDEN AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ENGINE WAS INSPECTED AND A RUN PERFORMED. IT OPERATED SATISFACTORILY. ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE. THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL WAS FOUND IN THE COLD POSITION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 EST
Nearest AirportSanford Lee County (0nm NNE)
Runway21
Runway Length4300 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN13188
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 28 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:52