# NTSB BFO87LA061: Cessna 172, N78505, Tappahannock, VA, September 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1987, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Tappahannock, VA
- Coordinates: 37.920902, -76.859672 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9209&lon=-76.8597&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 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11337
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11337/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87LA061

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS AT 1500 MSL WHEN A 300 RPM LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. THE PLT SIGHTED A PRIVATE LANDING STRIP AND HE DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON IT. DURING THE LANDING ROLL ON THE 62 FT WIDE GRASS STRIP THE L WING STRUCK CORN STALKS IN AN ADJACENT CORNFIELD. THE PLT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF CONTROL FOLLOWED BY THE ACFT VEERING TO THE LEFT AND INTO THE CORNFIELD. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION. CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCTIVE FOR CARBURETOR ICING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78505](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78505-1991-04-30), registration cancelled 1991-04-30, S/N 17257642 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17257642
- Airframe hours: 4014
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Mcdonald
- Registered owner: John Mcdonald
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 1987, 44 hours before
- Departed: W79
- Destination: RIC, RICHMOND, VA
- Airport: Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIC, 30 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 19870903080569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870903080569A), Sep 3, 1987: Cessna 172K, Tappahonnock, VA, Substantial damage. Reported a 300 drop in engine rpms. A wing hit tall corn landing on a Private strip rotating aircraft into the corn

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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