# NTSB CHI92LA052: Cessna 172, N8316X, Carlyle, IL, December 11, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 11, 1991, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Carlyle, IL
- Coordinates: 38.609333, -89.37075 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6093&lon=-89.3708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15367
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15367/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA052

## Probable cause

FUEL CONTAMINATION AND BLOCKAGE OF THE CARBURETOR, WHICH RESTULED IN FUEL STARVATION.  THE HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES) WERE A RELATED FACTOR.

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - blocked(total) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command
  - stall/mush
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND INITIAL CLIMB FROM A 2300 FOOT GRASS STRIP, THE AIRCRAFT SEEMED TO LOSE POWER AND A POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB WAS NOT ESTABLISHED.  IN ORDER TO AVOID ONCOMING TREES, THE PILOT STARTED A LEFT TURN.  THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND CRASHED INTO A FARM FIELD. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED SIGNIFICANT CONTAMINATION OF THE CARBURETOR AND GASCOLATOR WITH SEDIMENT AND RUST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8316X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8316X-1992-04-28), registration cancelled 1992-04-28, S/N 17248816 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172c) (registry code 2072408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17248816
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gruen/Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Destination: 2H0, SHELBYVILLE, IL
- Airport: UNK, Zachry, runway 27, 2,300 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 75 total, 10 in this make and model, 45 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 57 °F
- Observed at: CVM, 30 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 19911211055679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911211055679A), Dec 11, 1991: Cessna 172C, Carlyle, IL, Substantial damage. Unable to clear trees on climbout. Banked,stalled at low altitude. Reported some power loss. Two cylinders weak.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.