# NTSB ERA14CA375: Cessna 172N, N9400E, Valkaria, FL, August 6, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 6, 2014, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Valkaria, FL - Coordinates: 27.960832, -80.558334 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9608&lon=-80.5583&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89807 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA375 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89807/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89807 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA375 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance on final approach during a precautionary landing, resulting in a touchdown off the departure end of the runway and collision with terrain. A factor in the accident was a partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined in post accident testing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the student pilot, she had just landed after a local instructional flight. Her instructor completed the solo endorsement in her logbook as they taxied back to the arrival end of the runway 28. The student pilot then taxied on to runway 28 for departure. She applied full throttle and the airplane lifted off the runway normally. At approximately 500 feet above ground level the engine began to run rough and dropped to 1900 RPMs. The student pilot immediately lowered the nose of the airplane to attain best glide speed and started a left hand turn to return to the airport. She attempted to land on runway 10. Approximately 20 seconds after the engine began running rough the pilot applied the carburetor heat and then reduced the throttle to idle. The student pilot did not attempt however to increase power after the application of carburetor heat and the throttle remained in the idle position for the remainder of the approach. The pilot then applied full flaps as the airplane was descending over midfield. The airplane overflew the runway and touched down in the grass immediately off the departure end of runway 10. The airplane subsequently struck a fence and nosed over. Post accident examination of the airplane and engine showed no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction. The engine was started and operated with no signs of failure. A review of the carburetor icing probability chart shows the aircraft was operating in conditions that were not conductive to carburetor icing at the time of the accident. The pilot had 43 total flight hours. ## Factual narrative According to the student pilot, she had just landed after a local instructional flight. Her instructor completed the solo endorsement in her logbook as they taxied back to the arrival end of the runway 28. The student pilot then taxied on to runway 28 for departure. She applied full throttle and the airplane lifted off the runway normally. At approximately 500 feet above ground level the engine began to run rough and dropped to 1900 RPMs. The student pilot immediately lowered the nose of the airplane to attain best glide speed and started a left hand turn to return to the airport. She attempted to land on runway 10. Approximately 20 seconds after the engine began running rough the pilot applied the carburetor heat and then reduced the throttle to idle. The student pilot did not attempt however to increase power after the application of carburetor heat and the throttle remained in the idle position for the remainder of the approach. The pilot then applied full flaps as the airplane was descending over midfield. The airplane overflew the runway and touched down in the grass immediately off the departure end of runway 10. The airplane subsequently struck a fence and nosed over. Post accident examination of the airplane and engine showed no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction. The engine was started and operated with no signs of failure. A review of the carburetor icing probability chart shows the aircraft was operating in conditions that were not conductive to carburetor icing at the time of the accident. The pilot had 43 total flight hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9400E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9400E), registered now, S/N 17272249, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17272249 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 6940 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 18, 2014, 100 hours before - Departed: X59, Valkaria, FL - Destination: X59, Valkaria, FL - Airport: X59, Valkaria, runway 10, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 17; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 43 total, 43 in this make and model, 43 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 79 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: MLB, 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 20140806015069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140806015069A), Aug 6, 2014: Cessna 172N, Valkaria, FL, Substantial damage. Student pilot (sp) on first-ever solo flight heard a loud "bang" from the engine, accompanied by substantial engine vibration and sudden partial loss of power… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 16, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89807. 8.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417753&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Record - Weather (item 2, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417754&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Weather-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Record - Dubec-Hunter (item 3, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417755&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Dubec-Hunter-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 4, .PDF, 146 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417756&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - FAA Carburetor Icing Probability Chart (item 5, .PDF, 255 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417757&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Carburetor%20Icing%20Probability%20Chart-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Airplane at Rest (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417758&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Airplane%20at%20Rest%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Vertical Stabilizer (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417759&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Vertical%20Stabilizer%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%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.