# NTSB CEN09LA442: Cessna 172S, N2446F, Boyd, TX, July 14, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 2009, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Boyd, TX
- Coordinates: 33.060276, -97.613609 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0603&lon=-97.6136&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 3, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Fort Worth FSDO, Cessna
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74282
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA442
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74282/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74282
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA442

## Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to the pilot's improper leaning procedures, resulting in a forced landing and collision with a fence.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute-descent: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 118 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The student pilot stated that he conducted a preflight inspection and engine run-up and noted no anomalies. He departed and climbed to 2,000 feet when the engine started running rough and popping. The engine rpms dropped from 2,200 to 2,000 without the throttle being moved. The pilot leaned the fuel mixture until the engine reached peak temperature and then enriched the mixture to -30 degrees. The engine roughness and popping increased and the rpms began to drop. The pilot then made a forced landing to a pasture. The airplane collided with several fixed objects and sustained structural damage to the airframe. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly and accessories revealed no anomalies. The Pilot's Operating Handbook specified that in case of engine problems the mixture control should be set to "rich".

## Factual narrative

On July 14, 2009, at 1745 central daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N2446F, registered to a private owner and operated by Sky Mays Flight Academy, experienced a total loss of engine power and made a forced landing to a pasture in the vicinity of Boyd, Texas. The instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and the airplane sustained structural damage to the airframe. The student pilot reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Fort Worth Meacham International Airport (FTW), Fort Worth, Texas at 1732. The pilot stated he conducted a preflight inspection, started the engine, completed the required checklist items, taxied to the run up area and completed an engine run up, to include leaning the mixture and no anomalies were noted. He departed and climbed to 2,000 feet mean sea level when the engine started running rough and popping. The engine RPM dropped from 2,200 to 2,000 RPM without the throttle being moved. The pilot thought he had not leaned the engine to maximum power so he used the engine lean assist and "leaned it to peak temperature (getting an open box) on either cylinder 1 or 4 and enriched mixture to -30 degrees when the engine roughness and popping increased and the RPM started going down fast....I realized it was engine failure." Examination of the crash site by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration revealed the landing gear tracks began 800 feet east of the airplane final resting place. The aircraft traveled through 600 feet of pasture before colliding with a fence, becoming airborne, crossing over a gully, and a tree line, before the right horizontal stabilizer struck a tree and the airplane impacted a berm on the opposite side of a pond. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly and accessories revealed no anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2446F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2446F-2013-05-02), registration cancelled 2013-05-02, S/N 172S10116 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172S
- Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172S10116
- Airframe hours: 2004
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 23, 2009, 81 hours before
- Departed: FTW, Fort Worth, TX
- Destination: FTW, Fort Worth, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 24; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 35 total, 35 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 13 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 102 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observed at: FTW, 20 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 20090714010859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090714010859A), Jul 14, 2009: Cessna 172S, Fort Worth, TX, Destroyed. (-23) Student pilot departed kftw for solo flight in the local area. Aircraft fuel was exhausted after .5 hours of flight time. Aircraft landed in pasture…

## Docket (14 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 3, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74282. 5.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 669 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326030&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- CFII Statement (item 2, .PDF, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326031&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CFII%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Statement (item 3, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326032&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 473 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326036&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 12 oclock ( Provided by FAA.) (item 5, .PDF, 395 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347778&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%2012%20oclock%20(%20Provided%20by%20FAA.)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 2 oclock position (provided by FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 338 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347779&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%202%20oclock%20position%20(provided%20by%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 3 oclock (Provided by FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 309 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347780&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20%203%20oclock%20(Provided%20by%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 4 - 5 oclock (Provided by the FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 416 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347784&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%205%20oclock%20(Provided%20by%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 5 11 oclock (Provided by the FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 511 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347786&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%2011%20oclock%20(Provided%20by%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 6 - Airbag deployed (item 10, .PDF, 779 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347787&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206%20-%20Airbag%20deployed-Master.PDF
- Other Pertinent Forms and Reports Fuel report 1 (item 11, .PDF, 412 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326048&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%20Fuel%20report%201-Redacted.PDF
- Other Pertinent Forms and Reports Fuel Report 2 (item 12, .PDF, 212 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326049&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%20Fuel%20Report%202-Redacted.PDF
- GA Airbag Study: Boyd, TX Factual Report (item 13, .PDF, 807 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327060&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=GA%20Airbag%20Study%3A%20Boyd,%20TX%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF
- Reference to General Aviation Airbag Study (item 14, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341671&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reference%20to%20General%20Aviation%20Airbag%20Study-Master.PDF

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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