# NTSB CEN11LA204: Cessna 172N, N739BL, Andrews, TX, February 25, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 25, 2011, 12:38 local (18:38 UTC) - Place: Andrews, TX - Coordinates: 32.331111, -102.529441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3311&lon=-102.5294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Emergency descent: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report August 11, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 78434 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA204 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78434/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78434 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA204 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an emergency descent, following a loss of engine power, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot said that shortly after liftoff, the engine lost power at an altitude of 400 to 500 feet above ground level (agl). He was able to maintain a controlled descent until approximately 100 feet agl, where the airplane stalled and impacted the ground. The engine was later examined, and no anomalies were found. ## Factual narrative On February 25, 2011, at 1238 central standard time, a Cessna 172N, N739BL, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain shortly after taking off Andrews County Airport (E11), Andrews, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was seriously injured. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident, and was destined for Midland (MDD), Texas. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, a witness who was servicing his airplane observed the beginning of the takeoff roll. The witness looked away and then heard the sound of impact. When he looked up, the airplane was off to the side of the runway. All of the wreckage was confined to a small area. According to the pilot's accident report, the engine "failed" at an altitude of 400 to 500 feet above ground level (AGL). The pilot said he was able to maintain a controlled descent until approximately 100 feet AGL., where the airplane stalled and impacted the ground adjacent the departure end of the runway. On May 4, 2011, the engine was examined at the facilities of Air Salvage of Dallas, Texas. No anomalies were found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N739BL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739BL-2014-12-30), registration cancelled 2014-12-30, S/N 17270412 (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: 17270412 - Airframe hours: 8981 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Stephan Warren Company - Registered owner: Stephan Warren Company - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 2010, 30 hours before - Departed: E11, Andrews, TX - Destination: MDD, Midland, TX - Airport: E11, Andrews County, runway 02, 2,939 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 3, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 174 total, 80 in this make and model, 139 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: MDD, 30 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 20110225002899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110225002899A), Feb 25, 2011: Cessna 172N, Andrews, TX, Substantial damage. On February 25, 2011, approx. 1230 CST, a Cessna CE172N departed andrew airport on runway 02 and climbed to approx. 400 ft at which time the aircraft lost… ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 16, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78434. 9.1 MB in all. - NTSB Form 6120, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 480 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347908&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 33 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347910&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 3, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347917&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - N739BL as it sits on the examining floor (item 4, .PDF, 674 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347919&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20N739BL%20as%20it%20sits%20on%20the%20examining%20floor-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - The engine (item 5, .PDF, 696 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347920&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20The%20engine-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - The spark plugs after removal from the engine (item 6, .PDF, 536 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347923&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20The%20spark%20plugs%20after%20removal%20from%20the%20engine-Master.PDF - Photo 4 - Filter element after removal from the oil filter (item 7, .PDF, 512 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347927&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Filter%20element%20after%20removal%20from%20the%20oil%20filter-Master.PDF - Photo 5 - The carburetor bowl with fuel visible (item 8, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347937&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20-%20The%20carburetor%20bowl%20with%20fuel%20visible-Master.PDF - Photo 6 - Pushrod sleeves, intake-exhaust valves, and springs after valve cover removal (item 9, .PDF, 699 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347938&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206%20-%20Pushrod%20sleeves,%20intake-exhaust%20valves,%20and%20springs%20after%20valve%20cover%20removal-Master.PDF - Photo 7 - Magnetos and leads (item 10, .PDF, 869 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347942&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207%20-%20Magnetos%20and%20leads-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. --- 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.