# NTSB FTW85LA304: Cessna 172 M, N5045H, Arcadia, LA, August 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1985, 15:01 local (20:01 UTC)
- Place: Arcadia, LA
- Coordinates: 32.549186, -92.91941 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5492&lon=-92.9194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21813
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA304
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21813/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA304

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - failure,partial (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Overrun, landing - roll
  - abort - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED HE HEARD A 'BOOM' AND EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS WHEN HE WAS ABOUT 10 FT ABOVE THE RWY DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB. HE WAS ABOUT HALF WAY DOWN THE 3000 FOOT RWY AT THIS TIME. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND LANDED. HOWEVER, HE WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE ACFT UNTIL IT HAD OVERRAN THE RWY AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH ABOUT 30 YARDS BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. SUBSEQUENT EXAM REVEALED THE ENG WOULD OPERATE NORMAL AT LOW RPM BUT AFTER 20 SECONDS AT TAKEOFF POWER THE FUEL MIXTURE WOULD BECOME TOO RICH AND A CONSIDERABLE DROP IN RPM WOULD OCCUR. THE CARBURETOR WAS DISASSEMBLED AND EXAMINED BUT THE CAUSE OF THE POWER REDUCTION WAS NOT NOTED. ALSO, THE CAUSE OF THE REPORTED 'BOOM' WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5045H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5045H), registered now, S/N 17265316, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 M
- 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: 17265316
- Airframe hours: 3954
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Southern Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 11, 1985, 45 hours before
- Departed: SFO, ARCADIA, LA
- Destination: DTN, SHREVEPORT, LA
- Airport: 5F0, Arcadia, runway 32, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 578 total, 114 in this make and model, 480 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SHV, 50 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 19850803036109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850803036109A), Aug 3, 1985: Cessna 172M, Arcadia, LA, Substantial damage. Aborted takeoff after hearing a boom with power loss. Overran runway end, struck a ditch. Carburetor malfunction.

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.

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