# NTSB ATL88LA206: Cessna 172M, N1534V, Spring Creek, NC, July 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1988, 12:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Spring Creek, NC
- Coordinates: 35.799541, -82.879844 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7995&lon=-82.8798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7783
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA206
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7783/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA206

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - utility pole
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH & LOSE POWER AS THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED THROUGH 9,000 FT MSL. SHE THEN SWITCHED FUEL TANKS AND MOVED THE MIXTURE TO FULL RICH, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER. CARB HEAT WAS NOT USED AT ANY TIME. A FORCED LDG WAS SUBSEQUENTLY MADE IN A FIELD WHERE THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A UTILITY POLE AND A DITCH. POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PREEXISTING MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. EXAMINATION OF AN ICING PROBABILITY CHART REVEALED THAT THE REPORTED WX CONDITIONS IN THE AREA WERE FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF MODERATE CARBURETOR ICING AT CRUISE POWER. THE CESSNA 172M OWNER'S MANUAL NOTES THAT A GRADUAL LOSS IN RPM AND EVENTUAL ENGINE ROUGHNESS MAY RESULT FROM THE FORMATION OF CARB ICE, AND PRESCRIBES THE USE OF CARB HEAT TO CLEAR THE ICE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1534V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1534V-1992-04-23), registration cancelled 1992-04-23, S/N 17263650 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17263650
- Airframe hours: 1903
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cornerstone Aviation
- Registered owner: Bob Jones University
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 26, 1988, 46 hours before
- Departed: GMU, GREENVILLE, SC
- Destination: BWG, BOWLING GREEN, KY
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 106 total, 58 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 27,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVL, 28 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 19880701024859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880701024859A), Jul 1, 1988: Cessna 172M, Spring Creek, NC, Substantial damage. Gradual power loss and rough engine. Struck power pole, fence and ditch on landing. Failed to use carburetor heat.

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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