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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

February 26, 2021 · Cessna 172 N · N5631E

Boynton Beach, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 26, 2021
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Boynton Beach, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 172 N
Tail Number
N5631E
Operator
Pilot Training Center
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA21LA144

The student pilot was performing ground reference maneuvers at 1,000 ft when the flight instructor noticed that the airplane had descended “about 100 ft.” He advised the student pilot to climb the airplane back to the desired altitude, but the airplane did not respond to the student’s control inputs. The instructor took control of the airplane and his remedial actions failed to restore engine power, so he performed a forced landing to a dirt road between cultivated fields, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. A detailed examination of the airplane and a successful postaccident engine run failed to reveal any preimpact mechanical anomalies. Although atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious icing at glide power, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB Probable Cause

Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined

Full Narrative

On February 26, 2021, about 1445 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N5631E, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Boynton Beach, Florida. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The instructor and the student pilot provided written statements that were consistent throughout. About 10 minutes after departure, the student was performing ground reference maneuvers at 1,000 ft when the flight instructor noticed the airplane had descended “about 100 ft.” He advised the student to climb the airplane back to the desired altitude, but the airplane did not respond to the student’s control inputs. The instructor assumed control of the airplane and performed remedial actions to restore engine power, which were unsuccessful. He then selected a dirt road that bisected cultivated fields for a forced landing. After landing, the airplane’s right wing, right main landing gear, and right wing strut impacted a gate post along the road, which separated the gear and strut, collapsed the wing at its root, and rotated the airplane 180° before it came to rest on its right side. Review of maintenance information revealed that the airplane’s most recent 100-hour inspection was completed on February 13, 2021, at 15,942 total aircraft hours. The airplane was recovered, and a detailed examination of the airplane was performed by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector. The examination revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies, and a fuel can was plumbed into the fuel system at the wing root, as the wings were removed during recovery. The engine started immediately, accelerated smoothly, and ran continuously without interruption. A magneto check was performed satisfactorily, and an inspection of the carburetor heat system revealed that the system operated as designed with no anomalies or blockages noted. According to the New Carburetor Icing-Probability chart published by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and cited in the FAA report, atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to "serious icing at descent power.” Review of the icing probability chart contained within the FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 revealed the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were “conducive to serious icing at glide power.”

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:45 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 N
Tail NumberN5631E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPilot Training Center
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 35 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time14:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data