# NTSB CHI88DEX04: Cessna 172M, N80269, Alexandria, IN, April 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1988, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Alexandria, IN
- Coordinates: 40.249523, -85.66925 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2495&lon=-85.6693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13912
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DEX04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13912/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEX04

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fuel system,carburetor - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - stripped thread (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke
- Fire, landing - roll
  - fluid,fuel - leak (cause)
  - powerplant - fire

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT ENGINE OPERATION WHILE ON FINAL, FOLLOWED BY COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE ON LANDING ROLLOUT. PILOT NOTICED SMOKE ENTERING COCKPIT DURING RESTART ATTEMPT. AIRCRAFT WAS EVACUATED BY PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS. THERE WAS AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. THE CARBURETOR BOWL HAD SEPARATED FROM THE CARBURETOR BASE ALLOWING FUEL TO FREELY FLOW INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE THREADS IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL WERE STRIPPED. AT THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION, 96 OPERATING HOURS PRIOR TO THIS OCCURRENCE, MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON THE CARBURETOR TO TIGHTEN THE SCREWS WHICH SECURE THE BOWL TO THE BASE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80269](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80269-1988-07-18), registration cancelled 1988-07-18, S/N 17266487 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17266487
- Airframe hours: 2782
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Circle City Hawks, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 23, 1987, 96 hours before
- Airport: I99, Alexandria, runway 9, 2,590 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 410 total, 385 in this make and model, 383 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 31.00 inHg

## 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 19880425015279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880425015279A), Apr 25, 1988: Cessna 172M, Alexandria, IN, Substantial damage. Engine fire erupted on landing. Fire put out by fire bottle. Sagging engine mount. Put stress on carb. Came loose.

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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