# Accident 20250222002539A: Cessna 172P, Mayo, MD, February 22, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 22, 2025, 16:00 local time
- Place: Mayo, MD
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.8922° N, 76.5048° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8922&lon=-76.5048&mi=10
- Aircraft: N781FM, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N781FM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172P (registry code 2072436, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Student
- Pilot flight hours: 46 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA25LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA127) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250222002539A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

STUDENT PILOT ON A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. STUDENT WAS ON THE LAST LEG OF THE FLIGHT AT 1500 FEET TO AVOID CLASS B AIRSPACE WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER ABOUT 35 MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT.

AS THE POWER DROPPED, THE AIRMAN PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE TO GET TO GLIDE SPEED, AND AT THE SAME TIME PUSHED THE THROTTLE ALL THE WAY IN AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. HE THEN MADE THE FIRST RADIO CALL, SAYING “POTOMAC,” TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING. HE THEN TOOK THE THROTTLE TO FULL IDLE, AND THEN BACK TO FULL POWER; STILL THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. AFTER THIS, HE ENSURED THE MIXTURE WAS FULL RICH, FUEL WAS ON BOTH, AND HE PULLED THE CARB HEAT WITH NO EFFECT AND PUSHED IT BACK IN; STILL NO RESPONSE. HE ALSO CHECKED THAT THE PRIMER WAS LOCKED.

THE AIRMAN CHOSE A ROAD TO LAND ON.  AFTER TOUCHDOWN ON THE ROAD THE AIRPLANE WENT TO THE RIGHT INTO THE TREES ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST WITH THE NOSE DOWN AND THE TAIL UP. THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE FUSALAGE, WINGS, PROPELLER, AND ENGINE MOUNT LEFT HAND SIDE.

WEATHER: KNAK  5NM NE ANP 222054Z AUTO 15008KT 10SM CLR 02/M07 A3028 RMK AO2 SLP257 T00171067 5602

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA25LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA127), Feb 22, 2025: Cessna 172 (N781FM), Mayo, MD, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power at low altitude due to an accumulation of carburetor ice while in a cruise-power descent, which resulted in a forced landing.

## Other reports on N781FM (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20070209001459I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070209001459I), Feb 9, 2007: Cessna 172P (N781FM), Fort Meade, MD, Minor damage. (-23) The pilot stated that when he was landing the aircraft, a gust of wind caught the aircraft causing the wing to dip and contact the ground. He added power…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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