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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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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NTSB Report

July 14, 1984 · Cessna 172M · N20218

Southgate, MI

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 14, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Southgate, MI
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N20218
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI84LA295

AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT CLIMBED TO 8500 FT MSL TO PRACTICE MANEUVERS. HE THEN MADE A DESCENT TO 4500 FT & BEGAN HEADING BACK TO THE ARPT, THEN CONTINUED DESCENDING TO 1800 FT & ENTERED THE TCA. THE ENG LOST POWER APRX 7 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT. LATER, DURING AN INTERVIEW, THE PLT STATED THAT HE ONLY MOMENTARILY USED THE CARBURETOR HEAT WHEN HE BEGAN HIS DESCENT FROM 8000 TO 1800 FT MSL. DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING, THE PLT LANDED IN AN AREA WITH WEEDS ABOUT 1 FT TALL. HE WAS NOT AWARE OF A DITCH THAT CROSSED THE AREA UNTIL AFTER TOUCHDOWN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT HIT THE FAR SIDE OF THE DITCH & NOSED OVER. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 90 & 60 DEG. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, VISIBLE ICING WAS POSSIBLE IN FLOAT TYPE CARBURETORS.

Full Narrative

AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT CLIMBED TO 8500 FT MSL TO PRACTICE MANEUVERS. HE THEN MADE A DESCENT TO 4500 FT & BEGAN HEADING BACK TO THE ARPT, THEN CONTINUED DESCENDING TO 1800 FT & ENTERED THE TCA. THE ENG LOST POWER APRX 7 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT. LATER, DURING AN INTERVIEW, THE PLT STATED THAT HE ONLY MOMENTARILY USED THE CARBURETOR HEAT WHEN HE BEGAN HIS DESCENT FROM 8000 TO 1800 FT MSL. DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING, THE PLT LANDED IN AN AREA WITH WEEDS ABOUT 1 FT TALL. HE WAS NOT AWARE OF A DITCH THAT CROSSED THE AREA UNTIL AFTER TOUCHDOWN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT HIT THE FAR SIDE OF THE DITCH & NOSED OVER. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 90 & 60 DEG. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, VISIBLE ICING WAS POSSIBLE IN FLOAT TYPE CARBURETORS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:45 EDT
Nearest AirportDetroit Metro (7nm ESE)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN20218
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 11 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:08
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data