# NTSB CEN22LA230: Cessna 172P, N65497, Ennis, TX, June 2, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 2, 2022, 18:03 local (23:03 UTC) - Place: Ennis, TX - Coordinates: 32.3384, -96.6651 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3384&lon=-96.6651&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA, Lycoming Engines - NTSB case key (mKey): 105192 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA230 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105192/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105192 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA230 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for reasons that were undetermined. ## 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 · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: 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) ## Analysis The flight instructor and pilot observed the engine power decrease about 200 rpm on two occasions while en route. The pilot flew an approach and then a go-around due to excess airspeed during the approach. When the throttle and carburetor heat controls were fully advanced, the engine power only increased to about 2,000 rpm. The flight instructor attempted to increase engine power without success. During the forced landing to a field the airplane hit a tree, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. Examination of the engine revealed normal engine continuity and compression was confirmed on all 4 cylinders. Several hold down studs on the No. 1 cylinder were fractured and their separated pieces were found in the bottom of the cowling. No other anomalies were observed that would have precluded normal engine operation. No impact damage occurred in the vicinity of the engine and investigators could not determine when these studs separated; however, it is unlikely that the separated studs resulted in the slight loss of engine power noted by the pilot and flight instructor. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power. The flight instructor recalled pulling the carburetor heat lever out during the approach, therefore, it is unlikely that carburetor icing resulted in the loss of engine power. Investigators were not able to determine the reason for the loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On June 2, 2022, about 1803 central daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N65497, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Ennis, Texas. The flight instructor and pilot were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. While enroute to the Ennis Municipal Airport (F41), the flight instructor reported that the engine power decreased about 200 rpm on two occasions. The pilot flew an approach to Runway 16 at F41 and executed a go-around due to excess airspeed. When the throttle and carburetor heat controls were advanced to the full forward position, the engine power only increased to about 2,000 rpm. The flight instructor adjusted the mixture control and reapplied carburetor heat in an attempt to increase engine power, but the power decreased, and the flight instructor executed a forced landing to a field. During the landing roll, the flight instructor turned right to avoid cows and the airplane impacted a tree, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The postaccident examination of the engine revealed normal engine continuity and no anomalies were observed with the carburetor. Four hold down studs on the No. 1 cylinder were fractured and their separated pieces were found in the bottom of the cowling. No other anomalies were observed that would have precluded normal engine operation. No impact damage occurred in the vicinity of the engine All spark plugs had signatures consistent with normal engine operation when compared to a Champion Check-a-plug chart. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N65497](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65497-2025-02-28), registration cancelled 2025-02-28, S/N 17275765, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P - 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: 17275765 - Year built: 1982 - Airframe hours: 14704 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Golf Aero Flight School - Registered owner: Christiansen Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 7, 2022, 98 hours before - Departed: GKY, Arlington, TX - Destination: F41, Ennis, TX - Airport: F41, Ennis Municipal Airport, runway 16, 3,999 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Heads up display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 38; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 19, 2021; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,003 total, 569 in this make and model, 1,883 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 26, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 194 total, 40 in this make and model, 157 as pilot in command, 76 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KJWY, 14 nm away - METAR: KJWY 022255Z AUTO 36006KT 10SM CLR 29/17 A2995 RMK AO2 T02900170 ## 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 20220602022269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220602022269A), Jun 2, 2022: Cessna 172P, Ennis, TX, Substantial damage. On June 2, 2022, about 1803 central daylight time, a Cessna 172P, [privacy data omitted], was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 20, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105192. 8.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16311188&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos of airplane at accident site (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 257 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16310661&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20of%20Airplane%20at%20Accident%20Site-Rel.pdf - Maintenance logs - excerpt (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16529208&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Mx%20logs%20-%20excerpt%20-%20redacted-Rel.pdf - Aircraft examination summary (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16529218&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Aircraft%20Examination%20Summary-Rel.pdf - Carburetor icing probability graph (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 335 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16540620&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Carburetor%20Icing%20Probability%20Graph%20-%20docket-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 261 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16566680&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Lycoming%20Party%20form_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 368 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16310793&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20release%20-%20CEN22LA230_Redacted-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.