# NTSB FTW01LA113: Cessna 172RG, N9696B, Washington, OK, May 3, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 3, 2001, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Washington, OK - Coordinates: 35.110675, -97.490539 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1107&lon=-97.4905&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 14, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Cessna Aircraft Company, Federal Aviation Inspector - NTSB case key (mKey): 52189 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52189/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA113 ## Probable cause the in-flight fire for an undetermined reason, which resulted in a forced landing. A contributory factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Fire, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - engine shutdown - intentional, pilot in command - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction, the student was demonstrating a commercial flight maneuver, at 2,100 feet agl, when they smelled an odor similar to "electrical burning." The instructor told the student to terminate the maneuver and return to the airport. While the student was terminating the maneuver, visible smoke appeared in the cabin, and heat was felt coming from beneath the instrument panel. The instructor assumed control of the airplane. The engine was shut down and a forced landing was executed to a field. During the landing, the airplane encountered soft terrain, nosed over and came to rest inverted. A plastic hydraulic reservoir, from the hydraulic power pack, was found melted and laying on the cockpit floor. The hydraulic power pack was examined and functionally tested at Aero Electric Inc., Wichita, Kansas, under supervision of the FAA. According a report from Aero Electric, the power pack and its related components operated within manufacturer's specifications. ## Factual narrative On May 3, 2001, at 1300 central daylight time, a Cessna 172RG airplane, N9696B, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following an in-flight fire near Washington, Oklahoma. The airplane was registered to Christensen Aviation Inc., of Wilmington, Delaware, and operated by Airman Flight School, Inc., of Norman, Oklahoma. The flight instructor and private pilot receiving instruction sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The local flight originated from the University of Oklahoma Westheimer Airport, Norman, Oklahoma, at 1230. According to the flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction, the student was demonstrating a commercial flight maneuver at 2,100 feet agl, when they smelled an odor similar to "electrical burning." The instructor told the student to terminate the maneuver and return to the Westheimer Airport. While the student was terminating the maneuver, visible smoke appeared in the cabin and heat was felt coming from beneath the instrument panel. The instructor assumed control of the airplane. The engine was shut down, and a forced landing was executed to a field. During the landing, the airplane encountered soft terrain, nosed over and came to rest inverted. According to an FAA inspector, who examined the airplane, a plastic hydraulic reservoir from the hydraulic power pack was found melted and laying on the cockpit floor. He stated that the left wing-tip, the right wing strut, and the vertical stabilizer were structurally damaged. He added that the engine firewall was buckled. The hydraulic power pack was examined and functionally tested at Aero Electric Inc., Wichita, Kansas, under supervision of the FAA. According a report from Aero Electric, the power pack and its related components operated within manufacturer's specifications. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9696B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9696B-2011-07-23), registration cancelled 2011-07-23, S/N 172RG0975, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172RG - Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172RG0975 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Airman Flight School Inc., doing business as N/A - Registered owner: Christensen Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 4, 2001, 97 hours before - Departed: OUN, Norman, OK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: minor; flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 26, 2001; seat: right; flight hours: 580 total, 170 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 280 in the last 90 days, 110 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 26; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review April 22, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 205 total, 5 in this make and model, 110 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 16 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: OUN, 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 20010503030869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010503030869A), May 3, 2001: Cessna 172RG, Washington, OK, Substantial damage. (.4) According to the flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction, the student was demonstrating a commercial flight maneuver, at 2,100 feet AGL, when… 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.