# NTSB DEN89LA030: Cessna 172, N8045B, Riverton, WY, November 13, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 13, 1988, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Riverton, WY
- Coordinates: 43.029571, -108.410522 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0296&lon=-108.4105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17640
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17640/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA030

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - supervision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR REPORTED CLOSING THE THROTTLE TO SIMULATE AN ENGINE FAILURE, DURING A TRAINING FLIGHT. THE STUDENT ADDED CARBURETOR HEAT FIRST, INSTEAD OF ESTABLISHING A PROPER GLIDE. THE INSTRUCTOR REMOVED CARBURETOR HEAT AND ADVISED THE STUDENT OF THE DESIRED SEQUENCE. THE INSTRUCTOR ADDED CARB HEAT, OPENED THE THROTTLE SLIGHTLY, AND CLEARED THE ENGINE DURING DESCENT. THE STUDENT SELECTED A FIELD FOR THE SIMULATED FORCED LANDING. THE INSTRUCTOR ADDED POWER TO RECOVER AT 300 FT AGL. THE ENGINE ACCELERATED TO PARTIAL POWER THEN 'CUT OUT.' THE INSTRUCTOR TRIED TWICE MORE TO RESTORE FULL POWER TO NO AVAIL. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A BEET FIELD, 10 MILES SOUTHWEST OF THE DESTINATION. AT TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE WHEEL HIT A DITCH AND WAS SHEARED OFF. THE ACFT TRAVELED 200 FEET, NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. A POST ACCIDENT ENGINE RUN BY AN FAA INSPECTOR FAILED TO REVEAL EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN THE REPORTED LOSS OF POWER. THE TEMP WAS 41, AND THE DEW POINT WAS 27.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8045B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8045B-1994-02-14), registration cancelled 1994-02-14, S/N 29845 (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: 29845
- Airframe hours: 2226
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Britt, Timothy J., Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 1988, 84 hours before
- Departed: LND, LANDER, WY
- Destination: RIW, RIVERTON, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,147 total, 100 in this make and model, 991 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIW, 10 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 19881113050449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881113050449A), Nov 13, 1988: Cessna 172, Riverton, WY, Substantial damage. Engine failed to respond on simulated forced landing go around. Hit ditch and nosed over. Misused carburetor heat.

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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