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March 24, 2015 · Cessna 172 - H · N8282L

Circleville, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 24, 2015
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Circleville, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 172 - H (1967)
Tail Number
N8282L
Operator
Student Pilot
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN15LA215

The flight instructor was conducting an instructional flight with a student pilot. The student reported that the preflight engine run-up was normal and that, before takeoff for the flight, there was a small wait because they were the fourth airplane in line for takeoff. At takeoff, the engine power was not normal, but leaning the mixture returned the engine performance to normal. After performing several flight maneuvers at 4,500 ft mean sea level (msl), the flight instructor simulated an engine failure by applying carburetor heat and retarding the throttle to idle. After descending the airplane to 2,500 ft msl, the flight instructor attempted to clear the engine and pushed the throttle control to full power, but the engine power was not restored. Subsequent attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful, and the student then transferred the flight controls to the flight instructor, who then conducted a forced landing to muddy terrain, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conductive to moderate carburetor icing at cruise power and serious carburetor icing at descent power. Given the delayed takeoff, during which the engine would have been at an idle power setting, and that the mixture needed to be leaned at higher engine power to return to normal, it is likely that carburetor icing had accumulated. Although the flight instructor applied carburetor heat for the simulated engine failure to prevent carburetor icing, there would have been reduced heat output by the engine at the idle power setting, which would not have been effective in preventing carburetor icing.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the engine to regain normal power after a simulated engine failure due to carburetor icing, which resulted in a forced landing on muddy terrain and a subsequent nose-over.

Full Narrative

On March 24, 2015, at 1605 central daylight time, a Cessna 172H, N8282L, nosed-over in muddy terrain during a forced landing following a simulated loss of engine power and forced landing near Circleville, Texas. The pilots were unable to regain engine power during the simulated forced landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor and student pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the student pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight that was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident for the local flight that departed from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Austin, Texas at 1530. The student pilot stated that the purpose of the accident flight was a mock checkride for the student pilot. The student pilot stated that the run-up prior to departure from AUS was normal and there was a small wait for departure, as they were the fourth airplane in line for departure. At takeoff, the engine did not have normal power and the mixture had to be leaned and upon doing so, the engine performance returned to normal. They departed toward the north and performed flight maneuvers at an altitude of about 4,500 feet mean sea level prior to performing a simulated engine failure. The simulated engine failure was performed by pulling the carburetor heat on and retarding the throttle to idle. The airplane was turned into the wind, about 180 degrees, and the best glide speed was established. The student pilot said there was a brief discussion of what other things were to be done i.e. find a field, squawk 7700, attempt a restart, etc. About 2,500 feet mean sea level, the flight instructor attempted to clear the engine and pushed the throttle control to full power and nothing happened. The flight instructor made attempts to adjust the mixture and restart the engine, which did not restart. The flight instructor took the flight controls and made landing to a field where the airplane got caught in the mud. The nose gear and propeller initially impacted the ground and the airplane flipped over. The AUS weather observation at 1553 recorded a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius and a dew point of 17 degrees Celsius. According to the New Carburetor Probability Icing Chart, a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius and a dew point of 17 degrees Celsius was in the moderate icing at cruise power and serious icing at descent power region.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:05 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 - H
Tail NumberN8282L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorStudent Pilot
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 65 · Second Class · Minor
Crew 2Age 42 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data