# NTSB BFO95LA069: Cessna 172N, N4876F, Factoryville, PA, June 20, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 20, 1995, 19:39 local (23:39 UTC) - Place: Factoryville, PA - Coordinates: 41.56005, -75.77993 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5600&lon=-75.7799&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 27, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9060 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO95LA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9060/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA069 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the subsequent hard landing by the student pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Hard landing, emergency landing after takeoff - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that during the supervised solo instructional flight he had completed one touch and go landing and one landing to a full stop, without incident. He stated that when the airplane was about 25 to 30 feet above the ground on the third takeoff, the engine sputtered and he was unable to maintain altitude. The student pilot stated that he made a '...bouncy landing...' and the airplane veered off the runway, and came to a full stop in a grassy field. Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. ## Factual narrative On June 20, 1995, at 1939 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N4876F, operated as a solo instructional flight, sustained substantial damage when it touched down hard during a forced landing at Seamans Airport, Factoryville, Pennsylvania. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, no flight plan was filed. The local flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91, and the loss of engine power occurred during the initial climb. The student pilot stated that he was performing supervised takeoff and landings when the accident occurred. He reported that he completed one touch and go landing and one full stop landing successfully. However, the student pilot stated: "The airplane [performance] was sluggish due to the high...temperature...and humidity." He reported that during the third takeoff about 25 to 30 feet above the ground the engine sputtered, and the airplane began to lose altitude. The student pilot made a "...bouncy landing..." on the right side of the runway. The airplane veered off the runway and came to a full stop in a grassy field. The student pilot told the Federal Aviation Administration Inspector that he thought he had an engine problem and tried to get the airplane back on the ground. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical anomaly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4876F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4876F), registered now, S/N 17273094, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17273094 - Airframe hours: 7753 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Seamans, Robert T. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 28, 1995, 65 hours before - Departed: 9N3 - Airport: 9N3, Seamans Field, runway 4, 2,500 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 94 total, 94 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 9 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F - Observed at: AVP, 22 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 19950620048899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950620048899A), Jun 20, 1995: Cessna 172N, Factoryville, PA, Substantial damage. (-16) Student pilot was performing take offs and landings solo under the supervision of his certified flight instructor in the traffic pattern. The student on… ## Other investigations on N4876F (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA17CA250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17CA250), Jul 20, 2017: Cessna 172 (N4876F), Factoryville, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point, which resulted in a runway overrun. 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.