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NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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August 10, 1985 · Cessna 172M · N1518V

Pearland, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 10, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Location
Pearland, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N1518V
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW85LA311

THE ACFT CONTACTED A DITCH DURING A FORCED LANDING. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE TAKEOFF AND CLIMB WERE NORMAL UNTIL THE ACFT REACHED APRX 120 FT AGL WHEN THE ENG QUIT AS IF THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED OFF. THE ARPT ELEVATION IS 51 FT MSL. THE RWY IS ASPHALT SURFACED AND IS 1800 FT LONG. THE WIND WAS FROM THE SOUTH AT 3 KTS. THE PLT STATED HE WAS USING 10 DEGREES OF FLAPS BUT ACFT EXAM REVEALED THE FLAPS AND FLAP SWITCH WERE IN THE 'UP' POSITION. POST ACCIDENT EXAM ALSO REVEALED ONLY CLEAN FUEL IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL. A SUBSEQUENT ENG RUN PROVED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAA COORDINATOR STATED ALL FOUR OCCUPANTS WERE RELATIVELY LARGE PEOPLE AND BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE FULL.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT CONTACTED A DITCH DURING A FORCED LANDING. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE TAKEOFF AND CLIMB WERE NORMAL UNTIL THE ACFT REACHED APRX 120 FT AGL WHEN THE ENG QUIT AS IF THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED OFF. THE ARPT ELEVATION IS 51 FT MSL. THE RWY IS ASPHALT SURFACED AND IS 1800 FT LONG. THE WIND WAS FROM THE SOUTH AT 3 KTS. THE PLT STATED HE WAS USING 10 DEGREES OF FLAPS BUT ACFT EXAM REVEALED THE FLAPS AND FLAP SWITCH WERE IN THE 'UP' POSITION. POST ACCIDENT EXAM ALSO REVEALED ONLY CLEAN FUEL IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL. A SUBSEQUENT ENG RUN PROVED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAA COORDINATOR STATED ALL FOUR OCCUPANTS WERE RELATIVELY LARGE PEOPLE AND BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE FULL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:40 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN1518V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured2
Total4
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind180° @ 3 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

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Appendix: Source Data