# NTSB BFO92LA142: Cessna 172N, N7396E, Havre De Grace, MD, September 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1992, 20:24 local (Sep 17, 1992, 00:24 UTC)
- Place: Havre De Grace, MD
- Coordinates: 39.539577, -76.090858 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5396&lon=-76.0909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11851
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11851/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA142

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT INCLUDE THE EXISTENCE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING AND THE ROUGH TERRAIN ON WHICH THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED.

## 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)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

AFTER RECEIVING A WEATHER BRIEFING AND FUELING THE AIRPLANE, THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT.  THE PILOT STATED THAT ABOUT AN HOUR INTO THE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE 'GRADUALLY LOST RPM' AND HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT 'A LITTLE BIT'.  ALL POWER WAS LOST AND HE EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING.  THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN IN A FIELD AND BOUNCED.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE 'PUSHED DOWN ON THE YOKE' TO GET IT BACK ON THE GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE THEN NOSED OVER.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AND ENGINE DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS.  ACCORDING TO THE DOT/FAA/CT82/44 PUBLICATION: LIGHT AIRCRAFT PISTON ENGINE CARBURETOR ICE DETECTOR/WARNING DEVICE SENSITIVITY/EFFECTIVENESS, THE PREVAILING TEMPERATURE AND DEWPOINT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT PRODUCED A PROBABILITY OF CARBURETOR ICING AT GLIDE AND CRUISE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7396E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7396E-1996-07-19), registration cancelled 1996-07-19, S/N 17272105 (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: 17272105
- Airframe hours: 5498
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: International Aviation
- Registered owner: J. R. Industries
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 23, 1992, 22 hours before
- Departed: AIY, ATLANTIC CITY, NJ
- Destination: FDK, FREDERICK, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 103 total, 100 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: APG, 5 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 19920916037829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920916037829A), Sep 16, 1992: Cessna 172N, Havre De Grace, MD, Substantial damage. Lost RPM and rough engine. Pulled on carburetor head slightly. Powered up then quit. Failed to use full carb heat.

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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