# NTSB ATL96LA050: Cessna 172, N166F, Jackson, MS, February 18, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1996, 14:55 local (19:55 UTC)
- Place: Jackson, MS
- Coordinates: 32.280479, -90.210182 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2805&lon=-90.2102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 11, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3694
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3694/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA050

## Probable cause

loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reason(s).  A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he was practicing touch-and-go landings. During takeoff from a touch-ang-go, the engine lost power, and a forced landing was made in a wet field at the end of the runway. During the landing, the airplane was substantially damaged. A postcrash inspection was performed, but no engine problem was found. The temperature and dew point were 64 and 29 degrees F, respectively. According to icing probability charts, conditions were conducive for carburetor ice at glide and cruise power; however, carburetor ice was not verified.

## Factual narrative

On February 18, 1996, at 1455 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N166F was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain during a forced landing near Jackson, Mississippi. The private pilot received minor injuries in the accident. The airplane was being operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 by Capitol Front End Service of Jackson, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed for the local, personal flight. The flight departed Jackson at 1415.

The pilot stated that he was practicing touch-and-go landings.  During an attempted takeoff, the engine lost power, and he was forced to execute an emergency landing in a wet field at the end of the runway.  The airplane impacted the wet field, and was substantially damaged.

A post crash inspection was performed of the induction and ignition systems, with no problems found.  An icing probability chart indicates that conditions were conducive to carburetor ice at glide and cruise power with visible ice present.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N166F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N166F-1996-09-17), registration cancelled 1996-09-17, S/N 36987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36987
- Engines: Continental O-300-C 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Capitol Front End Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HKS
- Airport: HKS, Hawkins Field, runway 29, 4,822 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 440 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JAN, 10 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 19960218001949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960218001949A), Feb 18, 1996: Cessna 172, Jackson, MS, Substantial damage. Lost power on takeoff from touch and go. Landed wet field. No cause found except carb icing conditions 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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