# NTSB ERA12LA101: Cessna 172D, N2344U, Belhaven, NC, December 4, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 4, 2011, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Belhaven, NC - Coordinates: 35.513889, -76.479446 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5139&lon=-76.4794&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 10, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Greensboro FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82464 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA101 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82464/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82464 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA101 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072410), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172D, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072410), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172D, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072410), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172D, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072410), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was maneuvering the airplane over a marshy area about 700 feet above ground level. The airplane was in a left turn when the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot continued the left turn and made a forced landing, during which the airplane struck a small tree, the nose landing gear separated, and the airplane rotated about 180 degrees. Postaccident examination of the engine assembly revealed no malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Review of the local weather conditions and the Federal Aviation Administration’s carburetor icing probability chart indicated that conditions were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide, but not at cruise, power settings. It was not possible to determine what engine power settings the pilot used during the accident flight maneuvers. ## Factual narrative On December 4, 2011, at 1600 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172D, N2344U, registered to a private owner, made a forced landing in a neighbor's backyard following loss of engine power, near Belhaven, North Carolina. The airplane was registered to a private owner, and operated as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The certificated private pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from a private airfield at 1530. The pilot stated he was maneuvering his airplane over a marsh area at 700 feet above ground level in a left turn when the engine experienced a total loss of power. He continued the left turn and made a forced landing. The airplane struck a small tree, separated the nose landing gear, and came to rest 180 degrees from the initial point of impact. Examination of the airplane logbooks revealed the annual inspection was overdue by 3 months. In addition the pilot's flight review was overdue by 4 months. There was no visible damage to the propeller assembly. The crankshaft was rotated through on all cylinders, no internal binding was noted, and the engine appeared to have compression. The carburetor flange was broken and the venturi was in place with no restrictions. The throttle linkage was in place and the magneto switch appeared to be functional. No anomalies were noted with the magnetos and ignition harness. The fuel selector valve was in the both position and fuel was present in both fuel tanks and the gascolator. No water was present in either fuel tank or the gascolator. Review of a carburetor icing chart for an ambient temperature of 64 degrees Fahrenheit and dewpond temperature of 52 degrees Fahrenheit, revealed that the airplane would only be in a serious icing conditions in glide power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2344U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2344U-2013-02-11), registration cancelled 2013-02-11, S/N 17249944, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172D - Registry model: [Cessna 172D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172d) (registry code 2072410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17249944 - Airframe hours: 2566 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert D. Armstrong - Registered owner: Collier Kenneth E - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 7, 2010, 38 hours before - Departed: Belhaven, NC - Destination: Belhaven, NC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 8, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 154 total, 154 in this make and model, 58 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.38 inHg - Observed at: OCW, 20 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 20111204027189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111204027189A), Dec 4, 2011: Cessna 172D, Belhaven, NC, Substantial damage. Aircraft was making a left turn returning to the airport, when the engine suddenly quit. The pilot continued his left turn trying to return to the airport. He… ## Other investigations on N2344U (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 MIA88LA253](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA253), Aug 11, 1988: Cessna 172D (N2344U), Tupelo, MS, substantial damage ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 14, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82464. 21.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359326&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359330&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Insurance E Mail Denial Info (item 3, .PDF, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362638&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Insurance%20E%20Mail%20Denial%20Info-Redacted.PDF - Icing Probability Chart (item 4, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362657&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Icing%20Probability%20Chart-Master.PDF - Photo 1 Left side view of airplane at rest. Photo FAA (item 5, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359421&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20Left%20side%20view%20of%20airplane%20at%20rest.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 2 Front view of airplane at rest. Photo FAA (item 6, .PDF, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359423&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20Front%20view%20of%20airplane%20at%20rest.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 3 Right front side of airplane. Photo FAA (item 7, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359424&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20Right%20front%20side%20of%20airplane.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 4 Close up view of right side of engine compartment. Photo FAA (item 8, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359427&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20Close%20up%20view%20of%20right%20side%20of%20engine%20compartment.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 5 Expired Annual Inspection. Photo FAA (item 9, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359428&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20Expired%20Annual%20Inspection.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 6 Issuance of Private Pilot Certificate and Flight Review. Photo FAA (item 10, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359499&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206%20Issuance%20of%20Private%20Pilot%20Certificate%20and%20Flight%20Review.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF 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.