# NTSB FTW02LA082: Cessna 172M, N238NY, Mount Selman, TX, February 20, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 20, 2002, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Mount Selman, TX - Coordinates: 32.097221, -95.29 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0972&lon=-95.2900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (FSDO) - NTSB case key (mKey): 54228 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA082 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54228/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54228 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA082 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, which resulted in a forced landing. A 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). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis During an airplane familiarization flight, the flight instructor (CFI) moved the throttle to idle to simulate an engine failure. During the ensuing simulated emergency downwind approach to a grass airstrip, the private pilot, who was receiving instruction, performed the emergency engine failure procedures, turned the carburetor heat to the on position, and extended the flaps to the 20-degree position. The CFI stated that the private pilot cleared the engine one time during the approach, and she briefed him on the downwind landing. The airplane touched down within the first 1,000 feet of the 2,700 foot-long airstrip, and the CFI then instructed the private pilot to go-around. The CFI stated that she retracted the flaps to the 10-degree position and once clear of power lines, she retracted the remainder of the flaps; however, the airplane then began losing altitude. The CFI stated that she then took control of the airplane. The private pilot reported that he landed the airplane and relinquished control to the CFI. The CFI applied full power and established a positive rate-of-climb, and the airplane cleared power lines. The airplane's engine then began losing power, and the airplane began to sink. Subsequently, the airplane contacted trees at the departure end of the airstrip and impacted the ground. Examination of the airplane's engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would preclude its operation. ## Factual narrative On February 20, 2002, at 0930 central standard time, a Cessna 172M single-engine airplane, N238NY, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees during the initial takeoff climb from the Tarrant Field Airport, Mount Selman, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by K & S Enterprises LLC, of Tyler, Texas, doing business as the Tyler International School of Aviation. The flight instructor (CFI) sustained minor injuries and the private pilot receiving instruction was not injured. 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 Tyler Pounds Field Airport, Tyler, Texas, at 0830. According to the CFI, the purpose of the flight was to complete the first lesson toward the private pilot's instrument rating and provide him with an initial check-out in the Cessna 172. After completing the instrument training segment of the flight, the CFI began the familiarization training/check-out in the airplane. The CFI moved the throttle to idle to simulate an engine failure, and the student maneuvered the airplane to land at a nearby grass field. The CFI pointed out a grass airstrip, and the private pilot then began to set up the approach to runway 12 at the airstrip. During the approach, the private pilot performed the emergency engine failure procedures, turned the carburetor heat to the on position, and extended the flaps to the 20-degree position. The CFI stated that the private pilot cleared the engine one time during the approach. She added that the winds were from 300 degrees at 6 knots, and she briefed the private pilot on a downwind landing. The airplane touched down within the first 1,000 feet of the 2,700 foot-long airstrip, and the CFI then instructed the private pilot to go-around. The CFI stated that she retracted the flaps to the 10-degree position and once clear of power lines, she retracted the remainder of the flaps; however, the airplane then began losing altitude. Shortly thereafter, she stated to the private pilot that she had control of the airplane. Subsequently, the airplane contacted trees at the departure end of the airstrip. The airplane came to rest in a near nose down vertical attitude amongst the trees. During the impact, the empennage partially separated from the airframe. The private pilot reported that he landed the airplane and relinquished control to the CFI. The CFI applied full power and established a positive rate-of-climb, and the airplane cleared power lines. The airplane's engine then began losing power, and the airplane began to sink. Subsequently, the airplane contacted trees at the departure end of the airstrip and impacted the ground. The flight school examined the Lycoming O-360-A4M engine, under supervision of an FAA inspector. The propeller was rotated and crankshaft continuity was confirmed to the accessory drive gear. The engine did not exhibit any signs of catastrophic failure; however, the #2 cylinder valve cover displayed impact damage. A differential compression check of the cylinders was performed and the following values were observed: #1 72/80, #2 20/80, #3 75/80, #4 78/80. The oil filter, airframe fuel filter and carburetor fuel screen were examined and found free of contaminants. No preimpact anomalies were discovered with the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N238NY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N238NY-2004-08-11), registration cancelled 2004-08-11, S/N 17265540, built 1975 (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: 17265540 - Airframe hours: 5470 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: K & S Enterprises LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, January 17, 2002, 70 hours before - Departed: TYR, Tyler, TX - Airport: 6XS5, Tarrant Field, runway 12, 2,700 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 25; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 27, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 1,106 total, 553 in this make and model, 982 as pilot in command, 136 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 22; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review February 15, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 58 total, 1 in this make and model, 15 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: TYR, 19 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 20020220003039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020220003039A), Feb 20, 2002: Cessna 172M, Mtselman, TX, No damage. (-23) At about 0930 on February 20, 2002, a Cessna 172, N238NY was substantially damaged when it impacted trees during a go-around following a simulated forced… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 30, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54228. 423 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 423 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389107&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.