# NTSB ATL03LA003: Cessna 172N, N6542J, Pompano Beach, FL, October 13, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 13, 2002, 14:42 local (18:42 UTC) - Place: Pompano Beach, FL - Coordinates: 26.247222, -80.113891 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.2472&lon=-80.1139&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 15, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Fort Lauderdale FSDO-17 - NTSB case key (mKey): 55872 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55872/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA003 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - powerplant - undetermined (cause) - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions - Forced landing, descent - emergency - terrain condition - runway - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - fence ## Analysis As the airplane climbed through 90 feet, the pilot noticed a loss of engine power. The pilot elected to shut down the engine by reducing the power and mixture levers. The airplane touched down on the runway and bounced about three times. Efforts by the pilot to stop airplane on the runway surface were unsuccessful. The airplane continued off the departure end of the runway and overrun, and collided with a fence. During the post-accident engine test run, the engine developed normal takeoff power without hesitation or roughness. The post-engine inspection disclosed no oil leaks or further discrepancies. According to the pilot, there were 40 gallons of fuel onboard the airplane at the time of the attempted takeoff. Review of weather data disclosed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. ## Factual narrative On October 13, 2002, at 1442 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N6542J, registered to ATE of Texas Inc., and operated by American Flyers, as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight collided with a fence after takeoff from Pompano Airpark, Pompano, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the private pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed from Pompano Beach, Florida, at 1440. According to the pilot, shortly after liftoff from runway 10, and as the airplane climbed through 90 feet, the pilot noticed a loss of engine power. As the airplane started to descend, the pilot decided to land straight ahead on the remaining runway surface. The pilot elected to shut down the engine by reducing the power and mixture levers. The airplane touched down on the runway and bounced about three times. Efforts by the pilot to stop the airplane on the runway surface were unsuccessful. The airplane continued off the departure end of the runway and overrun, and collided with a fence. The initial examination of the airplane at the accident site disclosed that the left and right wing assemblies sustained structural damage. The engine firewall was also buckled. During the post-accident engine test run, the engine developed normal takeoff power without hesitation or roughness. The post-engine inspection disclosed no oil leaks or further discrepancies. According to the pilot, there were 40 gallons of fuel onboard the airplane at the time of the attempted takeoff. Review of weather data disclosed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6542J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6542J-2013-11-08), registration cancelled 2013-11-08, S/N 17273887, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17273887 - Airframe hours: 12200 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: American Flyers - Registered owner: ATE of Texas Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 12, 2002, 0 hours before - Departed: PMP, Pompano Beach, NC - Destination: SRQ, Sarasota, FL - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: PMP, Pompano Beach Airpark, runway 10, 3,502 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review October 9, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 76 total, 30 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: PMP ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20021013036009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021013036009A), Oct 13, 2002: Cessna 172N, Pompano Beach, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Inspectors statement: on 10/13/02 at about 16:30 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N6542J, registered to American flyers flight school crashed into… ## Other investigations on N6542J (2) 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 CHI96LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA140), Apr 21, 1996: Cessna 172 (N6542J), Dekalb, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's inadequate supervision, and his delay in taking remedial action to regain directional control of the airplane. Factors relating to the accident were: the student's improper… - [NTSB MIA93LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA132), Apr 12, 1993: Cessna 172N (N6542J), Immokalee, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE DECISION OF THE PILOT TO BUZZ AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.