# NTSB FTW85LA311: Cessna 172M, N1518V, Pearland, TX, August 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1985, 20:40 local (Aug 10, 1985, 01:40 UTC)
- Place: Pearland, TX
- Coordinates: 29.549655, -95.270629 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5497&lon=-95.2706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21817
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA311
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21817/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA311

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED A DITCH DURING A FORCED LANDING. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE TAKEOFF AND CLIMB WERE NORMAL UNTIL THE ACFT REACHED APRX 120 FT AGL WHEN THE ENG QUIT AS IF THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED OFF. THE ARPT ELEVATION IS 51 FT MSL. THE RWY IS ASPHALT SURFACED AND IS 1800 FT LONG. THE WIND WAS FROM THE SOUTH AT 3 KTS. THE PLT STATED HE WAS USING 10 DEGREES OF FLAPS BUT ACFT EXAM REVEALED THE FLAPS AND FLAP SWITCH WERE IN THE 'UP' POSITION. POST ACCIDENT EXAM ALSO REVEALED ONLY CLEAN FUEL IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL. A SUBSEQUENT ENG RUN PROVED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAA COORDINATOR STATED ALL FOUR OCCUPANTS WERE RELATIVELY LARGE PEOPLE AND BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE FULL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1518V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1518V-1989-03-04), registration cancelled 1989-03-04, S/N 17263640 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17263640
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James E. Koester
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 104 total, 19 in this make and model, 64 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850809037789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850809037789A), Aug 9, 1985: Cessna 172M, Pearland, TX, Destroyed. Pilot says that engine quit after takeoff. Hit concrete pillow and pipe on emergency landing. No malfunction found.

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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