# NTSB BFO93LA184: Cessna 172, N9841L, Emporia, VA, September 25, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 25, 1993, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Emporia, VA - Coordinates: 36.690032, -77.529937 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6900&lon=-77.5299&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8826 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA184 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8826/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA184 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A TAKEOFF. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S DELAY IN INITIATING AN ABORTED TAKEOFF. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - object - tree(s) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT PERFORMED A SUCCESSFUL PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A SHORT SECTION OF A COUNTY HIGHWAY WITH OBSTACLES ON BOTH ENDS OF THE SECTION. THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WAS PRECIPITATED BY A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. AFTER THE LANDING, THE PILOT DRAINED THE FUEL TANK SUMPS AND FOUND A SMALL QUANTITY OF WATER IN THE LEFT FUEL CELL. AFTER NOTING NO PROBLEMS DURING AN ENGINE RUN-UP, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF FROM THE SHORT SECTION OF HIGHWAY. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, BUT COULD NOT SAFELY STOP THE AIRPLANE. IT IMPACTED TREES. BOTH WINGS AND THE VERTICAL STABILIZER WERE DAMAGED. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS, AND AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES. ## Factual narrative On September 25, 1993, about 1330 hours eastern daylight time, N841L, a Cessna 172, operated by the Civil Air Patrol, impacted trees and was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff from a road at Emporia, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91 and originated from Hampton Roads, Virginia. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to practice "low level" search techniques. While circling above a specified area, the engine "lost partial power." A successful precautionary landing was initiated on a county highway. Once on the ground, the pilot checked the fuel tank sumps and drained some water from the left fuel tank. He then started the engine and ran it to full power with no problems noted. After shutting down the engine, he pushed the airplane as far back as possible in attempt to gain the maximum amount of straight line distance on the highway for takeoff. He stated that he noticed he had about 1,800 feet of distance to take off, and he also noticed trees and powerlnes on both ends of the proposed strip. He and the passenger then boarded the airplane, started the engine, and performed another engine run-up. Noting no problems, he attempted to take off. During the takeoff roll, he realized that he would not be able to the clear power lines ahead. He aborted the takeoff, but was unable to safely stop the airplane in time. The airplane continued rolling and impacted trees. No mechanical malfunctions were reported by the pilot. An examination by a FAA aviation safety inspector revealed substantial damage to both wings and the vertical stabilizer. No pre-impact mechanical deficiencies were found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9841L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9841L), registered now, S/N 17276632, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17276632 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-02J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Civil Air Patrol, Inc. - Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: PVG, HAMPTON ROADS, VA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 700 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ORF, 60 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 19930925036369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930925036369A), Sep 25, 1993: Cessna 172, Emporia, VA, Substantial damage. Made an emergency landing on a country road, then crashed while attempting to takeoff. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.