# NTSB ATL96LA065: Cessna 152, N6174Q, Flamingo, FL, March 13, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 13, 1996, 16:47 local (20:47 UTC) - Place: Flamingo, FL - Coordinates: 25.270299, -80.629936 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.2703&lon=-80.6299&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 4, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3708 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3708/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA065 ## Probable cause The student pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for a precautionary landing. Failure of the #3 exhaust tube was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal - exhaust system,stack - failure (contributing factor) - Nose over, emergency landing - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The student pilot stated he was in cruise flight at 3,500 feet, when the airplane engine began making a loud continuous noise. He made a precautionary landing in an open field. During the landing roll out, the airplane encountered soft terrain and nosed over. Examination of the airplane, revealed the #3 exhaust tube had failed (separated) below the weld joint. When the student pilot was informed of the examination results, he said he misdiagnosed the perceived emergency. ## Factual narrative On March 13, 1996, at about 1647 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N6174Q, registered to Alternate Flying Club, operated by Fort Myers Airways Inc., as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, made a precautionary landing in the vicinity of Flamingo, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The airplane nosed over on soft terrain on landing roll out and sustained substantial damage. The student pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Marathon, Florida, about 37 minutes before the accident. The student pilot stated, he was in cruise flight at 3,500 feet when the aircraft engine began making a loud continuous noise. He made a precautionary landing, and the airplane nosed over during the landing roll out. Examination of the airplane, revealed the number 3 exhaust tube had separated below the weld joint. There was no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction of the engine assembly. When the student pilot was informed of the source of the loud noise, he stated, he used improper flight planning and decision when he misdiagnosed the perceived emergency, which resulted in an unnecessary precautionary landing. An NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report was mailed to Fort Myers Airways Inc., on March 14, 1996. The certified letter was received on March 22, 1996. No reply was received by the NTSB. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6174Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6174Q-1997-08-21), registration cancelled 1997-08-21, S/N 15285183 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 152 - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15285183 - Airframe hours: 9248 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Ft. Myers Airways, Inc. - Registered owner: Alternative Flying Club, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 1, 1996, 23 hours before - Departed: MTH, MARATHON, FL - Destination: OBE, OKEECHOBEE, FL - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 60 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MTH, 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 19960313003959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960313003959A), Mar 13, 1996: Cessna 152, Flamingo, FL, Substantial damage. Loud noise in engine. Landed in a field. Nosed over. NR3 exhaust tube broke at weld. Made unnecessary landing. 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.