# NTSB ATL93LA115: Cessna 172, N7817X, Statesville, NC, June 24, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1993, 09:20 local (13:20 UTC)
- Place: Statesville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.780281, -80.879478 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7803&lon=-80.8795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3229
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3229/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA115

## Probable cause

The improper use of carburetor heat by the pilot. A factor in the accident was the carburetor icing conditions.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, cruise
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT UNDER OVERCAST CLOUDS. HE STATED THAT HE WAS FORCED TO DESCEND DUE TO DECREASING CLOUD HEIGHTS. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 71(F), AND THE DEW POINT WAS 63(F). THE CARBURETOR ICING PROBABILITY CHART SHOWS THIS COMBINATION TO BE IN SERIOUS ICING CONDITIONS AT GLIDE POWER. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT FOR THREE SECONDS ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND THE ENGINE PROBLEM BECAME WORSE WHEN POWER WAS ADDED. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS EXECUTED, THE AIRCRAFT HIT A FENCE DURING THE LANDING, AND NOSED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On June 24, 1993 at about 0920 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N7817X was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain during a precautionary landing near Statesville, North Carolina. Neither the private pilot, nor his passenger were injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and a visual flight rules flight plan was in effect for the personal flight. The flight departed Siler City, North Carolina at about 0830, and was destined for Morganton, North Carolina.

The pilot stated that following a descent, the engine lost power gradually, which he attributed to carburetor icing. He applied carburetor heat for approximately 3 seconds on two separate occasions. However, he said, when the throttle was increased, the problem got worse. He elected to attempt a precautionary landing in a corn field. The aircraft struck a fence and flipped over.

The Icing Probability Chart shows at a temperature of 71 degrees fahrenheit (F) and a dew point of 63 degrees (F), serious icing conditions exist at glide power.(See Attached Chart.)

The pilot failed to complete and return NTSB Form 6120.1/2, which was delivered with cover letter on July 1, 1993.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7817X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7817X-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 17248317, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17248317
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Peters, Donald W.
- Registered owner: Edward N. Liles
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 28, 1992
- Departed: 5W8, SILER CITY, NC
- Destination: MRN, MORGANTON, NC
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 105 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HKY, 25 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 19930624020099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930624020099A), Jun 24, 1993: Cessna 172B, Statesville, NC, Substantial damage. After prolonged descent engine lost power. Nosed over landing off airport. Serious carburetor icing existed.

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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