# NTSB CEN22LA181: Cessna 172M, N9263H, Manhattan, KS, April 21, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 20, 2022, 19:15 local (Apr 21, 2022, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Manhattan, KS - Coordinates: 39.016764, -96.193701 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0168&lon=-96.1937&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 104987 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104987/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104987 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA181 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat during the approach and his unsuitable flight profile for an upsloping runway, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and an impact with terrain during an attempted go-around. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: understanding/comprehension](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041515): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041515/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041515/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot flew a low approach to a turf runway with an upslope and then attempted a go around with an airspeed of about 55 knots and the flaps extended. The pilot noted a partial loss of engine power and noted that the airplane would not climb. The airplane descended slightly and subsequently impacted trees and fence poles beyond the departure end of the runway, which damaged both wings. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engines revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated he did not apply carburetor heat during the approach. With the probability of serious carburetor icing at glide power, the lack of carburetor heat likely contributed to the partial loss of engine power during the go-around attempt. Another pilot familiar with the airport reported that the runway’s upslope was difficult to fly over. Because the pilot did not maintain a higher airspeed during the low approach and initiate the go-around earlier, he flew an unsuitable profile for the upsloping runway. ## Factual narrative On April 20, 2022, about 1915 central daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N9263H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Smith Airport (43KS), Manhattan, Kansas. The pilot sustained minor injuries and the passenger was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported flying a visual approach to a 2,800-ft turf runway that had an upslope. When the airplane was about two-thirds down the runway, at an airspeed of about 55 knots, and with its flaps extended, the pilot applied full throttle. The pilot perceived a partial loss of engine power based on lower-than-expected noise and the airplane’s inability to climb normally. The airplane descended slightly and subsequently impacted trees and fence poles off the end of the runway, which substantially damaged both wings. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal power. The pilot stated that he did not apply carburetor heat during the visual approach. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, Carburetor Icing Prevention, the airplane had a probability of encountering serious carburetor icing at glide power near the accident location. A pilot familiar with 43KS reported that the runway upslope was “deceiving and can sneak up on you” and that a creek at the departure end often produced “dead air” and a loss of lift, which demonstrated the importance of executing a flyover with excess airspeed. After the accident, the pilot stated that he should have maintained a higher airspeed during the low approach and initiated the go-around earlier. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9263H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9263H), registered now, S/N 17266056, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17266056 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 10698 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: K S Flying Club Inc - Registered owner: K S Flying Club Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2021, 369 hours before - Departed: 69K, Wamego, KS - Destination: MHK, Manhattan, KS - Airport: 43KS, Smith Airport, runway 17, 2,800 × 50 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 17, 2022; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 197 total, 133 in this make and model, 130 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.74 inHg - Observed at: KMHK, 12 nm away - METAR: KMHK 202352Z 35006KT 10SM CLR 21/12 A2974 RMK AO2 SLP066 60000 T02110117 10217 20150 51025 ## 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 20220420005659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220420005659A), Apr 20, 2022: Cessna 172M, Manhattan, KS, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed Manhattan, KS (mhk) for local flight. After landing and departing wamego, KS (69K), the pilot performed low approach and flyover of grass… ## Other investigations on N9263H (2) 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 NYC92LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA105), Jun 9, 1992: Cessna 172 (N9263H), Buffalo, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING A GO AROUND, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT DELAYED THE GO… - [NTSB NYC86LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA194), Jul 23, 1986: Cessna 172 M (N9263H), Olcott, NY, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 15, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104987. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14115834&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo of airplane at accident site (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14115844&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20of%20Airplane%20at%20Accident%20Site-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector report (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 280 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14116132&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ACC_20220519_8020-2_N9263H%20Inspector%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Carburetor icing probability graph (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 335 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14112565&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Carburetor%20Icing%20Probability%20Graph%20-%20docket-Rel.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.