# NTSB ATL85LA176: Cessna 172, N5221F, Columbia, SC, May 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1985, 11:31 local (15:31 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, SC
- Coordinates: 33.989551, -81.029106 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9896&lon=-81.0291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6804
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6804/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA176

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING A DESCENT TO 2100 FT, INTERMEDIATE LEVEL OFFS WERE MADE AT 5000, 4000, & 3000 FT. HE STATED THAT AT 2200 FT, CARB HEAT WAS REMOVED & POWER WAS APPLIED FOR THE LEVEL OFF. HOWEVER, WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS ADVANCED, THE ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH & WOULD NOT SUSTAIN LEVEL FLT. THE PLT STATED THAT ALL COMBINATIONS OF POWER & CARB HEAT WERE TRIED, BUT PROVIDED NO CHANGE. THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED OVER A DENSE FOREST, SO THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING IN A LAKE. THE ACFT SANK IN 14 FT OF WATER. IT WAS RECOVERED, BUT NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS VERIFIED. THE CARB HEAT CABLE WAS LOOSE, BUT THERE WAS IMPACT DAMAGE IN THAT AREA. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 74 & 68 DEGS RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, CARB ICING WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE IF THE CARB HEAT HAD NOT BEEN USED OR HAD NOT FUNCTIONED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5221F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5221F-2013-03-18), registration cancelled 2013-03-18, S/N 17253254, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- 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: 172-53254
- Airframe hours: 6000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: U.S.A.F. Langely Aero Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HAMPTON, VA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CAE, Columbia Metro

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,242 total, 83 in this make and model, 70 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Observed at: CAE, 5 nm away

## 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 19850531021989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850531021989A), May 31, 1985: Cessna 172F, Columbia, SC, Substantial damage. Engine quit after descent, ditched in lake. Carb heat control loose probably from impact. Carb heat non use suspect

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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