# NTSB FTW86FRA01: Cessna 172 M, N9892Q, Houston, TX, October 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1985, 14:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Location: 29.7633° N, 95.3633° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Houston, TX, within about 14 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7633&lon=-95.3633&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21947
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FRA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21947/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FRA01

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - water (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft service - poor, airport personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A GOLF COURSE AND NOSED OVER AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT DURING TAKEOFF. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE GASCOLATOR WAS FULL OF WATER AND THE CARBURETOR CONTAINED 25 PERCENT WATER. NO OTHER DISCREPANCIES IN EQUIPMENT WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9892Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9892Q), registered now, S/N 17265836, 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: 17265836
- Airframe hours: 2157
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William H. Harris
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 1985, 10 hours before
- Airport: ISW, West Houston, runway 33, 4,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 17,283 total, 454 in this make and model, 16,703 as pilot in command, 656 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IWS, 1 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 19851019052799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851019052799A), Oct 19, 1985: Cessna 172M, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit after takeoff. Landed on golf course where aircraft flipped over. Water in gascolator and carburetor.

## Other investigations on N9892Q (2)

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.

- [NTSB FTW90LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA057), Jan 21, 1990: Cessna 172M (N9892Q), Goliad, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO IDENTIFY AND CORRECT FOR CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS WHICH EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND PRECIPITATED THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING.
- [NTSB NYC78FHJ22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FHJ22), Sep 23, 1978: Cessna 172 (N9892Q), Islip, NY, substantial damage

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.