# NTSB CHI93LA031: Cessna 172D, N2577U, Marshall, IL, November 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 13, 1992, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Marshall, IL
- Coordinates: 39.390777, -87.690155 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3908&lon=-87.6902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15623
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15623/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA031

## Probable cause

AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - water (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not followed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE WAS DIFFICULT TO START AND THAT ONCE STARTED IT WOULD QUIT.  AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE ENGINE STARTED AND RAN SUFFICIENTLY FOR THE PILOT TO PROCEEDED WITH THE TAKEOFF.  DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB PHASE FOLLOWING TAKEOFF THE ENGINE CEASED TO OPERATE. THE AIRPLANE MADE A FORCED LANDING INTO TREES AND TERRAIN. THE ON SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ENGINE'S CARBURETOR FLOAT BOWL HAD APPROXIMATELY TWO TEASPOONS OF WATER IN IT. THE REMAINDER OF THE FUEL SUPPLY WAS EXAMINED AND REVEALED NO WATER CONTAMINATION.  AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE STIPULATING THAT VENTED FUEL CAPS MUST BE INSTALLED HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2577U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2577U-1992-12-15), registration cancelled 1992-12-15, S/N 17250177 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172D
- Registry model: [Cessna 172D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172d) (registry code 2072410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-50177
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-C 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Boyer, Scott R.
- Registered owner: Boyer, Scott R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 22, 1992, 38 hours before
- Departed: RLA
- Destination: SIV, SULLIVAN, IL

## 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.; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total, 40 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 25 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,700 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TTH, 15 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 19921113046579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921113046579A), Nov 13, 1992: Cessna 172D, Marshall, IL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Found water in fuel. Fuel tank caps not vented .

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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