# NTSB FTW90LA109: Cessna 172XP, N1650V, Leona, TX, May 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1990, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Leona, TX
- Coordinates: 31.149761, -95.969284 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1498&lon=-95.9693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23132
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23132/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA109

## Probable cause

ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO A TOTALLY OBSTRUCTED AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN IN WHICH THE FORCED LANDING HAD TO BE PERFORMED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - induction air control,intake manifold - foreign object (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE ABRUPTLY LOST COMPLETE POWER DUE TO THE PRIMARY AND ALTERNATE AIR INLETS BECOMING BLOCKED BY A FOREIGN OBJECT, A RAT'S NEST. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO THE ONLY SUITABLE AREA AVAILABLE. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN WITHOUT INCIDENT; HOWEVER, DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THREE FENCES. THE BLOCKAGE OCCURRED WHEN THE AIR INLET SPRING FAILED AND ALLOWED THE RAT'S NEST TO ENTER THE MAIN AIR INLET THROAT RESULTING IN AIR STARVATION TO THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1650V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1650V-1993-07-30), registration cancelled 1993-07-30, S/N R1722207 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172XP
- Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1722207
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-K 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James G. Bergman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: OOR, LIVINGSTON, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,100 total, 1,030 in this make and model, 2,074 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: LFK, 40 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 19900526017459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900526017459A), May 26, 1990: Cessna R172K, Leona, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Hit fences on forced landing. Alternate air inlet door failed. Rats nest blocked primary inlet

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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