# NTSB ATL88LA216: Cessna 172L, N19632, Michie, TN, July 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1988, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Michie, TN
- Coordinates: 35.059577, -88.419174 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0596&lon=-88.4192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7789
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA216
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7789/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA216

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,magneto - inoperative (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - erratic (cause)
  - fuel system - contamination (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - improper (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH DURING TAKEOFF; THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY DISAPPEARED FROM SIGHT IN A NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE. THE PLT LATER REPORTED THAT HE COULD NOT REMEMBER THE EVENTS THAT LED UP TO THE POWER LOSS. POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED NUMEROUS MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES INCLUDING SEVERAL SPARK PLUGS W/CRACKED INSULATORS, AN INOP MAGNETO, FUEL SYSTEM CONTAMINATION, AND FUEL TANK VENT SYSTEM BLOCKAGE. 'VISE-GRIP' TOOL MARKINGS WERE FOUND ON SEVERAL OF THE SPARK PLUGS. THE ENGINE RAN AND DEVELOPED SATISFACTORY PWR ON A TEST-STAND AFTER THE INOP MAG AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WOULD ONLY DEVELOP PARTIAL PWR AND WOULD NOT EXCEED 1200 RPM WHEN THE ORIGINAL SPARK PLUGS WERE REINSTALLED. THE PLT, WHO WAS ALSO THE ACFT OWNER, WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE ANY MAINTENANCE RECORDS FOR THE ACFT. THE PLT'S LAST MEDICAL EXAM WAS 5 1/2 YRS EARLIER, ACCORDING TO FAA RECORDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N19632](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19632-2014-09-10), registration cancelled 2014-09-10, S/N 17260626, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17260626
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Newcomb, Ron R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 1,250 total, 1,200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F

## 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 19880714040689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880714040689A), Jul 14, 1988: Cessna 172L, Michie, TN, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Stalled into trees. Had bad mags. Cracked spark plugs. Blocked fuel vents. Dirt in fuel.

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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