# NTSB ATL89LA103: Cessna 172M, N13188, Sanford, NC, March 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1989, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Sanford, NC
- Coordinates: 35.470909, -79.179382 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4709&lon=-79.1794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7998
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7998/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA103

## Probable cause

CARBURETOR ICE DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROPERLY USE THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL DURING DESCENT AND FLIGHT IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERNS AT REDUCED POWER. UNDERLYING THIS IS INADEQUATE TRAINING IN THE PROPER UNDERSTANDING OF CARBURETOR ICING AND THE PROPER METHODOLOGY OF DEALING WITH THIS PHENOMENON.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT HAD OBTAINED HIS PILOT CERTIFICATE ABOUT SIX WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. HE HAD LOGGED ABOUT 53 PILOT HOURS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. HE HAD ABOUT 4 HOURS IN THE C-172 AND HAD JUST CHECKED OUT IN IT. THE PLT HAD TAKEN HIS BROTHER AND A FRIEND FOR A RIDE IN THE LOCAL AREA FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. UPON RETURNING TO THE FIELD, HE MADE A TRAFFIC PATTERN AND DURING THE TURN FROM DOWN WIND TO BASE TRIED TO ADD POWER TO CORRECT FOR LOW ALTITUDE. THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. HE LANDED IN A PLOWED GARDEN AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ENGINE WAS INSPECTED AND A RUN PERFORMED. IT OPERATED SATISFACTORILY. ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE. THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL WAS FOUND IN THE COLD POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13188](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13188-2026-09-05), registration cancelled 2026-09-05, S/N 17262557, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-62557
- Airframe hours: 3335
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Central Carolina Aviation,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, January 10, 1989, 35 hours before
- Airport: W77, Sanford Lee County, runway 21, 4,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 53 total, 4 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAY, 15 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 19890311038379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890311038379A), Mar 11, 1989: Cessna 172M, Sanford, NC, Substantial damage. Engine quit in pattern. Landed in soft garden and nosed over. Had failed to use carb heat in icing conditions.

## Other investigations on N13188 (1)

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 NYC77FGM16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC77FGM16), Mar 3, 1977: Cessna 172 (N13188), Butler, PA, substantial damage

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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