# NTSB ATL92LA035: Cessna 172G, N5866R, Millen, GA, January 11, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 11, 1992, 10:05 local (15:05 UTC)
- Place: Millen, GA
- Coordinates: 32.799232, -81.940246 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7992&lon=-81.9402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8551
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8551/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA035

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY USE CARBURETOR HEAT DURING ICING CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions
  - carburetor heat - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE TO SAVANNAH, GEORGIA AT 5000 FEET, THE PILOT REPORTED A REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER.  REPORTEDLY, HE CHANGED THE MIXTURE SETTING AND APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESTORE FULL POWER, BUT THE ENGINE POWER REDUCTION CONTINUED TO A POINT WHERE POWERED FLIGHT WAS NO LONGER POSSIBLE. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE TO AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE GROUND ROLL OUT, THE AIRPLANE ROLLED THROUGH A FENCE, CROSSED A ROAD, AND FLIPPED INVERTED AFTER COLLIDING WITH A SECOND FENCE. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO THE ICING PROBABILITY CURVE, WEATHER CONDITIONS NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE WERE FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5866R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5866R), registered now, S/N 17253535 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17253535
- Airframe hours: 3717
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Georgia Flight Inc.
- Registered owner: Georgia Flight Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 1991, 93 hours before
- Departed: AHN, ATHENS, GA
- Destination: SAV, SAVANNAH, GA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 242 total, 171 in this make and model, 158 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAV, 40 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 19920111000409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920111000409A), Jan 11, 1992: Cessna 172G, Millen, GA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power en route,struck fence and nosed over on forced landing. Icing in area possible per conditions.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.