# NTSB CHI93LA027: Cessna 172, N5889A, Aurora, MO, November 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1992, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Aurora, MO
- Coordinates: 36.959842, -93.720733 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9598&lon=-93.7207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15621
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15621/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA027

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPLANE, A SWITCHED OFF FUEL SELECTOR AND FUEL STARVATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,selector/valve - switched off (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE RECEIVED HIS ORIGINAL CHECKOUT IN THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE SIX MONTHS BEFORE RECEIVING A SECOND CHECKOUT LASTING ONE HOUR.  ONE WEEK AFTER THE SECOND CHECKOUT FLIGHT THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A LOCAL FLIGHT. DURING INITIAL CLIMBOUT THE PILOT REPORTED THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH.  PUMPING THE THROTTLE, ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, ALLEVIATED THE PROBLEM MOMENTARILY.  AS THE AIRPLANE ENTERED ONTO A DOWNWIND LEG, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH ONCE AGAIN.  THE PILOT STATED HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT AND BEGAN A TURN ONTO A BASE LEG FOR THE LANDING RUNWAY. THE PILOT STATED THE ENGINE QUIT AT THIS POINT.  THE AIRPLANE MADE A HARD LANDING IN A CITY HORSE LOT, NOSING OVER AS IT CAME TO A STOP.  THE ON SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ENGINE WAS CAPABLE OF OPERATING.  THE CARBURETOR FLOAT BOWL AND ACCELERATOR PUMP WELL WERE DEVOID OF FUEL.  THE GASCOLATOR WAS FOUND CLEAN AND DEVOID OF FUEL.  THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND IN THE 'OFF' POSITION BY THE INVESTIGATOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5889A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5889A-1996-06-24), registration cancelled 1996-06-24, S/N 28489 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28489
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vernon W. Warren, doing business as 0
- Registered owner: Vernon W. Warren
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1992, 745 hours before
- Departed: 2H2
- Destination: 2H2

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 43 total, 2 in this make and model, 19 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SGF, 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 19921108045809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921108045809A), Nov 8, 1992: Cessna 172, Aurora, MO, Destroyed. Rough engine on climbout. Force landed. Hit nose first. Flipped over. Fuel selector off position.

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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