# NTSB ATL05CA165: Cessna C172F, N8513U, Sparta, TN, September 30, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 30, 2005, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Sparta, TN
- Coordinates: 35.929546, -85.470695 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9295&lon=-85.4707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62693
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL05CA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62693/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05CA165

## Probable cause

The pilot's delay in applying carburetor heat that resulted in the loss of engine power due to carburetor ice.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause)
  - carburetor heat - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing
- On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The airplane was about 43 minutes into a cross country flight when the engine began to sputter and lost power. The pilot's attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful and he chose to make a forced landing to a nearby field. During the approach to land, the left wing struck a tree and the airplane collided with the ground and burst into flames. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed continuity from the engine power quadrant to the carburetor. The fuel screen of the carburetor was observed free of debris. The needle valve in the carburetor remained attached to the float and was binding in the needle valve seat. The carburetor bowl was free of debris and was undamaged.  Weather conditions at the time of the accident were favorable for the formation of carburetor icing. The pilot reported that he did not apply carburetor heat until after the loss of engine power.

## Factual narrative

This report is based on information received by the NTSB.  Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case.  For further information, please contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8513U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8513U-2008-12-09), registration cancelled 2008-12-09, S/N 17252413, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna C172F
- Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17252413
- Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas Haskell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2005
- Departed: KMDQ, Huntsville, AL
- Destination: KHTS, Huntington, WV
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2005; flight hours: 2,535 total, 137 in this make and model, 1,777 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg

## 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 20050930026739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050930026739A), Sep 30, 2005: Cessna 172F, Sparta, TN, Substantial damage. (-23) According to the pilot (new owner of one day) while in cruise flight the O-300 Continental engine sputter once and quit. The pilot (high time helicopter,…

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.

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