# NTSB DFW05CA093: Cessna 172M, N91505, Spring, TX, March 18, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 18, 2005, 17:10 local (23:10 UTC) - Place: Spring, TX - Coordinates: 30.061666, -95.553337 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0617&lon=-95.5533&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61195 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61195/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA093 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate use of carburetor heat, which resulted in carburetor ice and the loss of engine power. A contributing factor was conditions conducive to carburetor icing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - fuel system,carburetor - ice (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - none suitable ## Analysis The 450-hour pilot reported that after a while entering the pattern to land on runway 17R, he noted that the airplane's altitude was high and his airpeed was also high. He reported reducing engine power and extending the flaps to 20 degrees. After turning on final approach to the runway, the pilot extended the flaps an additional 10 degrees and then noticed that the airplane "began sinking at a fast rate." Subsequently, the engine lost power and the pilot initiated a forced landing. During the forced landing, the airplane struck tops of trees, nosed over, and impacted terrain before coming to rest in a nose low attitude. The weather reporting station at the airport reported temperature 71 degrees Fahrenheit and dew point 48 degrees Fahrenheit 17 minutes prior to the accident. According to information on a Carburetor Icing Probability Chart at the operating temperature/dew point, the airplane was found to be operating within the "serious icing at glide power" range. Examination of the engine revealed no mechanical anomalies. ## Factual narrative On March 18, 2005, approximately 1710 central standard time, a Cessna 172M single-engine airplane, N91505, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees during a forced landing following a reported loss of engine power while on final approach to the David Wayne Hooks Airport (DWH), near Spring, Texas. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The 18-nautical mile cross-country flight originated from the Lone Star Executive Airport (CXO), near Conroe, Texas, approximately 1650, and was destined for DWH. The 450-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that after a non-eventful flight he was cleared to land on runway 17R (7,009-feet long and 100-feet wide asphalt runway) at the David Wayne Hooks Airport. During the landing approach the pilot noted that the airplane's altitude was high and the indicated airspeed was high, so he pulled the engine back and extended the flaps to the 20 degree position. After turning on final approach to the runway, the pilot applied 10 more degrees of flaps, and then noticed that the airplane "began sinking at a fast rate." Subsequently, the engine lost power and the pilot initiated a forced landing. During the forced landing, the airplane struck the tops of trees, nosed over, and impacted terrain before coming to rest in a nose-low attitude. At 1653, the Automated Surface Observing System at DWH reported wind from 200 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 19 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear sky, temperature 22 degrees Celsius, dew point 9 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 29.81 inches of Mercury. A review of the Carburetor Icing Probability Chart revealed that a the time of the engine loss of power, the airplane was operating within the "Serious Icing at Glide Power" range. Examination of the airplane by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the airplane came to rest nose low in a heavily wooded area. The leading edge of both wings was crushed aft, and the engine was partially separated from the engine firewall. Fuel was observed in both wing fuel tanks. Examination of the Lycoming 0-320-E2D engine by an FAA inspector revealed that the carburetor control at the air box functioned normally, and compression was noted on all four cylinders. No mechanical anomalies were noted during the examination. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91505](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91505-2007-01-03), registration cancelled 2007-01-03, S/N 17261498, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17261498 - Airframe hours: 11100 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Fredrick N. Hopp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 2004, 18 hours before - Departed: CXO, Conroe, TX - Destination: DWH, Spring, TX - Airport: DWH, Daviid Wayne Hooks, runway 17R, 7,009 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 450 total, 230 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 13 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: DWH ## 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 20050318003359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050318003359A), Mar 18, 2005: Cessna 172M, Spring, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was on short final to David Wayne Hooks airport when engine lost power. Aircraft landed in trees about 1/4 mile from the end of the runway. ## Other investigations on N91505 (1) 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 SEA80FA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80FA030), May 26, 1980: Cessna 172M (N91505), Winslow, WA, substantial damage 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.