# NTSB CHI92LA008: Cessna 172P, N97984, Maple Lake, MN, October 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1991, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Maple Lake, MN
- Coordinates: 45.229679, -93.999328 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2297&lon=-93.9993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15334
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15334/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA008

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - undetermined (cause)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 1,500' AGL.  HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND MADE A FORCED LANDING I A PLOWED FIELD.  POST CRASH INSPECTION DISCLOSED AMPLE FUEL AND NO MECHANICAL ANOMALIES WITH THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME.  THE CARBURETOR AIR BOX WAS CRUSHED DURING THE ACCIDENT.  ONCE THE DAMAGED AIR BOX WAS REPLACE, THE ENGINE RAN NORMALLY.  THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE HAD RUN FINE FOR THE 30 MINUTES HE HAD FLOWN PRIOR TO THE LOSS OF POWER. ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS FOR THE EXISTING WEATHER CONDITIONS PLACE THE LIKELIHOOD OF CARBURETOR ICING AS MINIMAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N97984](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97984), registered now, S/N 17276244, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17276244
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-02T 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Crystal Shamrock, Inc.
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 13, 1991, 72 hours before
- Departed: Y33, MAPLE LAKE, MN
- Destination: 57Y, SANDSTONE, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 64 total, 6 in this make and model, 27 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 16 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Observed at: STC, 7 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 19911017046869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911017046869A), Oct 17, 1991: Cessna 172P, Maple Lake, MN, Substantial damage. Engine quit climbing out. Landed soft field and nosed over. Engine ran normal. Post accident test. Fuel on board.

## Other investigations on N97984 (3)

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 LAX01LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA150), Apr 19, 2001: Cessna 172P (N97984), Torrance, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the pilot-in-command to execute a proper landing flare, which resulted in an improper touchdown attitude and a subsequent loss of directional control. A factor in the accident was the…
- [NTSB MKC90LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA043), Jan 7, 1990: Cessna 172 (N97984), St Cloud, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: INADEQUATE VISUAL OUTLOOK BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE LIGHT POLE. THE LOCATION OF THE POLE WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A RELATED FACTOR.
- [NTSB MKC89LA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA164), Jul 23, 1989: Cessna 172 (N97984), Duluth, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: AIRCRAFT CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND DUE TO IMPROPER USE OF THE AIRCRAFT FLIGHT CONTROLS.

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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