# NTSB CHI92FA127: Cessna 172P, N54736, Kellyville, OK, April 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1992, 10:25 local (15:25 UTC)
- Place: Kellyville, OK
- Coordinates: 35.940147, -96.210388 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9401&lon=-96.2104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15288
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92FA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15288/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA127

## Probable cause

AN INADVERTENT STALL AND MISJUDGEMENT OF AN EMERGENCY PROCEDURE BY THE PILOT IN TRYING TO STRETCH THE FORCED LANDING APPROACH TO MAKE IT TO THE AIRSTRIP.

## 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, maneuvering
  - throttle/power lever,cable - disengaged (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,replacement - not performed, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - wire,transmission(marked)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD JUST TAKEN OFF FOR A PIPELINE PATROL, AND WAS MANEUVERING NEAR THE AIRSTRIP. WITNESSES REPORTED HEARING THE ENGINE SOUND DECREASE IN VOLUME. ONE WITNESS STATED THAT 'THE ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS RUNNING AT HALF POWER.' PILOT PASSED UP OPPORTUNITY TO LAND IN CLEAR FIELD APPROXIMATELY ONE-QUARTER MILE WEST OF AIRSTRIP, AND STALLED THE AIRCRAFT ATTEMPTING TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE AIRSTRIP. AIRCRAFT STRUCK POWER LINES AT FIELD BOUNDARY AND CRASHED ONTO AIRSTRIP. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE HAD BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE THROTTLE HANDLE. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN OVERHAULED TWICE, AND HAD ACCUMULATED 7218 HOURS OPERATING TIME. NO RECORD OF THROTTLE CONTROL REPLACEMENT COULD BE FOUND. MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE MANUAL RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT EVERY 1500 HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54736](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54736-1993-09-28), registration cancelled 1993-09-28, S/N 17275044 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275044
- Airframe hours: 7218
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: David A. Kessler
- Registered owner: David A. Kessler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 7, 1992, 68 hours before
- Airport: 1OK0, Neversweat Airport, runway 15, 2,950 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,700 total, 6,500 in this make and model, 10,500 as pilot in command, 222 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUL, 26 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 19920413009699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920413009699A), Apr 13, 1992: Cessna 172P, Kellyville, OK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. While circling airpot at low altitude prior to P0WER line patrol. Struck powerline. Corroded throttle cable broken

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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