# NTSB CHI89LA149: Cessna 172M, N12662, Wixom, MI, July 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1989, 22:40 local (Jul 27, 1989, 02:40 UTC)
- Place: Wixom, MI
- Coordinates: 42.780704, -82.929435 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7807&lon=-82.9294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14391
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14391/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA149

## Probable cause

CARBURETOR ICE DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: WEATHER CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICE, DARK NIGHT, AND TREE(S) IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO GO AROUND DURING A NIGHT VISUAL APPROACH AND EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. AS HE WAS MAKING A FORCED LANDING IN A CULTIVATED FIELD NEAR THE END OF THE RUNWAY, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A TREE, THEN LANDED HARD. NO CONTAMINATION WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE ENGINE RAN NORMALLY IN A POST-ACCIDENT TEST. CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR CARBURETOR ICING. THE PILOT DID NOT GET A WEATHER BRIEFING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12662](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12662-2012-06-14), registration cancelled 2012-06-14, S/N 17262157, built 1973 (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: 17262157
- Airframe hours: 1769
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas Adams, Jr.
- Registered owner: J & W Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 1989, 10 hours before
- Departed: PTK, PONTIAC, MI
- Airport: 2G4, Spencer Field, runway 36, 2,550 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 275 total, 200 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PTK, 13 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 19890726025349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890726025349A), Jul 26, 1989: Cessna 172M, Wixom, MI, Substantial damage. Engine quit on go around. On landing struck a tree short of runway. Engine checked normal. Carb icing conditions.

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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