# NTSB BFO89LA017: Cessna 172F, N8264U, Bruceton Mills, WV, January 31, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 31, 1989, 06:15 local (11:15 UTC)
- Place: Bruceton Mills, WV
- Coordinates: 39.649909, -79.640792 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6499&lon=-79.6408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11491
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11491/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA017

## Probable cause

THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF CARBURETOR ICE WHICH OBSTRUCTED AIRFLOW TO THE INDUCTION SYSTEM. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS, THE HIGHWAY AND THE DITCH WHICH WAS CONTACTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID HE WAS CRUISING AT 3800 FT AND ABOUT 15 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENG BEGAN LOSING POWER. HE TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE PLT SAID HE SUSPECTED CARB ICE. HE LANDED ON A HIGHWAY AND WENT OFF THE SIDE INTO A DITCH WHERE THE ACFT ERUPTED ON FIRE. THE TEMP, 38 F; DEW PT, 33 F; CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO INDUCTION ICING. EXAMINATION OF THE ENG DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8264U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8264U-1991-04-24), registration cancelled 1991-04-24, S/N 17252164 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172F
- Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17252164
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: James R. Flanigan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1988, 60 hours before
- Departed: 2G4, OAKLAND, MD
- Destination: I15, LANCASTER, OH
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 130 total, 110 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGW, 13 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 19890131002339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890131002339A), Jan 31, 1989: Cessna 172F, Bruceton Mills, WV, Substantial damage. Engine quit, struck a guardrail during forced landing on a highway. Flipped over rail into ditch. Carb icing present

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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