# NTSB BFO91LA009: Cessna 172N, N902ZZ, Elkton, VA, November 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 3, 1990, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Elkton, VA
- Coordinates: 38.409561, -78.609077 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4096&lon=-78.6091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11640
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11640/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA009

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT WHICH RESULTED IN A REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER. A FACTOR WAS THE ROUGH TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - ram/induction air - blocked(partial) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE DESCENDED INTO A VALLEY AND THEN HE APPLIED FULL POWER TO CLIMB. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, SHORTLY AFTER HE APPLIED POWER, THE ENGINE PARTIALLY LOST POWER. DECREASING TO ABOUT 1650 RPM. THE PLT DECIDED THAT TOTAL POWER LOST WAS IMMINENT, SO HE LANDED STRAIGHT HEAD INTO TREES ON STEEP SLOPING TERRAIN. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE DID NOT USE CARBURETOR HEAT. THE ENGINE OPERATED SATISFACTORILY DURING THE POST-ACCIDENT TEST. THE LOCAL TEMPERATURE/DEW POINT WAS 77/42 DEGS F. CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO INDUCTION ICING, ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY DATA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N902ZZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N902ZZ-1991-05-24), registration cancelled 1991-05-24, S/N 17273595 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273595
- Airframe hours: 4752
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hanover Aviation Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 15, 1989, 43 hours before
- Departed: W83, ASHLAND, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 570 total, 17 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHO

## 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 19901103048659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901103048659A), Nov 3, 1990: Cessna 172N, Elkton, VA, Substantial damage. Descended into mountain valley. Engine lost power. Elected to land in trees. Engine caught at impact. Carb icing factor

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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