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NTSB Report
March 4, 1985 · Cessna 172 · N12486
Orick, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 4, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Orick, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N12486
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX85LA165
WHILE IN FLT AT 11,500 FT, THE PLT BEGAN A DESCENT. AS THE ACFT REACHED 2500 FT, THE ENG BEGAN SPUTTERING, THEN LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A WIRE FENCE AS THE PLT WAS APPROACHING TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE DESCENT, HE HAD TURNED ON THE CARB HEAT. HOWEVER, THE CARB HEAT CONTROL WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION & THE CARB HEAT DOOR WAS CLOSED. NO PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES WERE FOUND. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 38 & 34 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CURVES, THE ACFT WOULD HAVE BEEN OPERATING IN A SERIOUS CARB ICING RANGE DURING THE DESCENT.
Full Narrative
WHILE IN FLT AT 11,500 FT, THE PLT BEGAN A DESCENT. AS THE ACFT REACHED 2500 FT, THE ENG BEGAN SPUTTERING, THEN LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A WIRE FENCE AS THE PLT WAS APPROACHING TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE DESCENT, HE HAD TURNED ON THE CARB HEAT. HOWEVER, THE CARB HEAT CONTROL WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION & THE CARB HEAT DOOR WAS CLOSED. NO PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES WERE FOUND. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 38 & 34 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CURVES, THE ACFT WOULD HAVE BEEN OPERATING IN A SERIOUS CARB ICING RANGE DURING THE DESCENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:20 PST
Nearest AirportJack Mcnamara (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN12486
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:41
Weather SourceWFAC