# NTSB DFW05CA237: Cessna 172M, N19998, Amarillo, TX, September 14, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 14, 2005, 09:40 local (14:40 UTC) - Place: Amarillo, TX - Coordinates: 35.064445, -101.849441 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0644&lon=-101.8494&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 July 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Lubbock, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 62459 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA237 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62459/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA237 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing factors were the reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the high density altitude. ## 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 - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - object - fence - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The 1,300-hour private pilot reported that during the initial takeoff climb, while at an estimated altitude of 75 to 80 feet above the ground, the engine RPM decayed to 1,950 RPM. Subsequently, the airplane's rate of climb was reduced to zero. The pilot responded by lowering the nose of the airplane and extending the flaps. With no remaining usable runway, the pilot turned the airplane to the left and elected to perform an emergency landing to a field. The pilot added that while maneuvering to avoid a fence, the airplane stalled, impacted the terrain and came to rest on its right side. The pilot, his 3 passengers and two small dogs were able to egress the airplane unassisted. The airplane was engulfed in flames a few minutes later. About 13 minutes after the mishap the weather reporting station 12 miles northeast of the accident site reported, the wind from 040 degrees at 13 knots, the temperature 57 degrees Fahrenheit, and dew point of 55 degrees Fahrenheit. 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 cruise power" range. Examination of the engine did not revealed any mechanical anomalies. Runway 35 was reported as a 3,800-foot long by 60-foot wide turf runway. The field elevation at the airport was reported at 3,615 feet and the density altitude was calculated at 4,347 feet. The estimated weight of the airplane at the time of departure was at its maximum takeoff weight of 2,300 pounds. ## Factual narrative This report is based on information received by the NTSB. Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case. For further information, please contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N19998](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19998-2009-08-12), registration cancelled 2009-08-12, S/N 17260921, built 1972 (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: 17260921 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Skellytown American Flyers - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 2TX0, Amarillo, TX - Destination: LHX, LA JUNTA, CO - Airport: 2TX0, Blue Sky Airfield, runway 35, 3,800 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,300 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: AMA, 12 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 20050914020839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050914020839A), Sep 14, 2005: Cessna 172M, Amarillo, TX, Destroyed. (-23) Departed runway 35 at Blue sky airfield (2TX0) south of Amarillo, Texas at approximately 0940 CDT on September 14, 2005. Runway 35 is approximately 3800… 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.