# NTSB CEN11CA062: Cessna 172, N9747L, Pineville, LA, November 9, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 9, 2010, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Pineville, LA - Coordinates: 31.338611, -92.439445 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3386&lon=-92.4394&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Baton Rouge FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77757 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77757/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77757 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA062 ## Probable cause The pilot/mechanic’s improper inspection of the airplane following the engine installation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Maintenance/inspections: return to service](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010530): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010530/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010530/cases.md) - [Inspection: post maintenance inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061515): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061515/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061515/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Following the installation of an overhauled engine and the completion of an annual inspection, the pilot/mechanic that had performed the work elected to fly the airplane. During takeoff the engine indications were normal and the airplane climbed to about 500 feet above ground level when the engine experienced a sudden power loss and the rpms decreased. The pilot then maneuvered the airplane in a 180-degree turn back toward the airport. He overshot the runway and the airplane sustained substantial damage during an off-airport forced landing. Federal Aviation Administration inspectors who responded to the scene discovered that the throttle control linkage was not connected to the carburetor throttle plate arm; the associated bolt, castellated nut, and cotter pin were missing. The pilot/mechanic stated that he had connected the throttle control linkage but could not remember if he had installed the cotter pin. ## Factual narrative Following the installation of an overhauled engine and the completion of an annual inspection, the pilot/mechanic that had performed the work elected to fly the airplane. During takeoff the engine indications were normal and the airplane climbed to about 500 feet above ground level when the engine experienced a sudden power loss and the rpms decreased. The pilot then maneuvered the airplane in a 180-degree turn back toward the airport. He overshot the runway and the airplane sustained substantial damage during an off-airport forced landing. Federal Aviation Administration inspectors who responded to the scene discovered that the throttle control linkage was not connected to the carburetor throttle plate arm; the associated bolt, castellated nut, and cotter pin were missing. The pilot/mechanic stated that he had connected the throttle control linkage but could not remember if he had installed the cotter pin. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9747L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9747L-2019-07-15), registration cancelled 2019-07-15, S/N 17276606, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (P) - 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: 17276606 - Airframe hours: 3947 - Engines: LYCOMING O320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Operator: Civil Air Patrol Inc - Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 8, 2010, 0 hours before - Departed: 2L0, Pineville, LA - Destination: 2L0, Pineville, LA - Airport: 2L0, Pineville Municipal Airport, runway 18, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 7,200 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 7,100 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KESF, 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 20101109050039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101109050039A), Nov 9, 2010: Cessna 172P, Pineville, LA, Substantial damage. On climbout after takeoff the aircraft lost power. The engine RPM dropped to 1200. The pilot attempted to circle and land on the runway, but a tailwind forced… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 2, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77757. 506 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 506 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340230&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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. --- 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.