# NTSB CHI91LA023: Cessna 172, N739VN, Fort Scott, KS, November 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 2, 1990, 23:00 local (Nov 3, 1990, 05:00 UTC)
- Place: Fort Scott, KS
- Coordinates: 37.830104, -94.700035 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8301&lon=-94.7000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14952
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14952/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA023

## Probable cause

THE MIXTURE CONTROL WAS SET INCORRECTLY RESULTING IN FUEL STARVATION, AND THE CHECK LIST WAS NOT FOLLOWED BY THE CFI/PIC.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - mixture - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A NIGHT IFR TRAINING FLIGHT, ON FINAL APPROACH THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN ADDITIONAL, NEEDED THROTTLE WAS ADDED. THE CFI TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS AND TURNED TO AN ADJACENT FIELD, SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, WHERE AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED WHICH RESULTED IN A NOSE OVER. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL MIXTURE CONTROL TO BE IN THE OUT, OR IDLE CUTOFF POSITION. NO DEFECTS, MALFUNCTIONS OF FUEL SHORTAGES WERE DISCOVERED, AND ENGINE RUN-UP NORMAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N739VN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N739VN), registered now, S/N 17270842, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270842
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Mistwood Aviation Inc.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airport: FSK, Fort Scott, runway 17, 4,500 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 970 total, 230 in this make and model, 860 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: CNU, 50 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 19901102048629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901102048629A), Nov 2, 1990: Cessna 172N, Fort Scott, KS, Substantial damage. Engine failed respond low on practice adf approach. Nosed over short of runway. Found mixture in idle cutoff mode.

## Other investigations on N739VN (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 CHI02LA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA236), Aug 4, 2002: Cessna 172N (N739VN), Sidney, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot not maintaining sufficient airspeed during the takeoff, and the inadvertent stall encountered by the pilot. The low altitude was a factor.
- [NTSB FTW94LA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA251), Jul 27, 1994: Cessna 172N (N739VN), Englewood, CO, destroyed. Probable cause: AN INADVERTENT STALL. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE FLARE.

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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