# NTSB CHI89DEV05: Cessna 182A, N4717D, Sparta, IL, February 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1989, 11:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Sparta, IL
- Coordinates: 38.150421, -89.709335 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1504&lon=-89.7093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14226
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEV05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14226/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEV05

## Probable cause

POOR AND IMPROPER MAINTENANCE WHICH RESULTED IN THE CARBURETOR VENTURI BEING BLOCKED BY THE DUCT TAPE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT TERRAIN ON WHICH THE FORCED LANDING WAS MADE.

## Analysis

ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WAS BEING USED FOR SPORT PARACHUTE ACTIVITY WHEN ENGINE FAILED DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB OF A JUMP SORTIE. THE PIC INSTRUCTED HIS FOUR SKYDIVER PASSENGERS TO ASSUME A CRASH POSITION AND ACCOMPLISHED AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN A SOFT FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE NOSE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A PIECE OF DUCT TAPE OBSTRUCTING THE CARBURETOR VENTURI RESTRICTING AIRFLOW TO THE ENGINE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - foreign object (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - blocked(total) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4717D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4717D-1992-06-02), registration cancelled 1992-06-02, S/N 34817 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A
- Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34817
- Airframe hours: 1370
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dave Verner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 9, 1988, 87 hours before
- Airport: SAR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 232 total, 15 in this make and model, 140 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BLV, 25 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 19890225002739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890225002739A), Feb 25, 1989: Cessna 182A, Sparta, IL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Crash landed in soft field off airport. Piece of duct tape from patched duct blocked air.

## Other investigations on N4717D (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI89LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA012), Oct 9, 1988: Cessna 182 (N4717D), Sparta, IL, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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