# NTSB BFO86FID01: Cessna 172L, N7191Q, Gordonsville, VA, February 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1986, 16:21 local (21:21 UTC)
- Place: Gordonsville, VA
- Coordinates: 38.129985, -78.179176 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1300&lon=-78.1792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11221
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86FID01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11221/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FID01

## 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 - final approach
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

ON FEBRUARY 23, 1986, AT 1621 EST, A CESSNA 172L, N7191Q COLLIDED WITH A TREE DURING AN ATTEMPTED GO-AROUND AT GORDONSVILLE AIRPORT, GORDONSVILLE, VA., WHILE ON A PLEASURE FLIGHT. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE STUDENT PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED FROM CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA, ON FEBRUARY 23, 1986. A WITNESS, JAMES CHUMM, STATED THAT THE APPROACH WAS HIGH AND FAST AS THE POWER WAS INCREASED FOR WHAT HE ASSUMED WAS A GO-AROUND THE ENGINE WAS HEARD TO BACK-FIRE SEVERAL TIMES. HE THEN OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDING INTO A FIELD DURING WHICH THE LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7191Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7191Q-2012-10-16), registration cancelled 2012-10-16, S/N 17260491, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17260491
- Airframe hours: 1184
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E-2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James C. Joyner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 3, 1985, 28 hours before
- Departed: CHO, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
- Destination: W93, ORANGE, VA
- Airport: GVE, Gordonsville, runway 4, 2,300 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 39 total, 39 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHO, 16 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 19860223005029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860223005029A), Feb 23, 1986: Cessna 172L, Gordonsville, VA, Destroyed. Did not clear engine in long,high approach with closed throttle. Engine would not respond on go around. Struck trees

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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