# NTSB FTW91LA115: Cessna 172P, N5488K, El Paso, TX, July 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1991, 18:20 local (Jul 3, 1991, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: El Paso, TX
- Coordinates: 31.8006, -106.359931 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8006&lon=-106.3599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23360
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23360/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA115

## Probable cause

THE POWER LOSS DUE TO CARBURETOR ICING AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT. FACTORS WERE THE ICING CONDITIONS, LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING, AND THE GUSTY TAIL WIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AS HE WAS DESCENDING AFTER CROSSING A MOUNTAIN RIDGE LINE, THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH AND THEN QUIT COMPLETELY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN, HOWEVER, THE PILOT LOCATED A NARROW GRAVEL ROAD AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING. THE LANDING WAS MADE WITH A 13 TO 16 KNOT TAIL WIND. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE PILOT LOST CONTROL, THE AIRPLANE VEERED LEFT, AND NOSED OVER. NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND ON THE ENGINE. THE PILOT, IN HIS INITIAL INTERVIEW, STATED THAT HE SUSPECTED CARBURETOR ICE. A REVIEW OF THE ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS INDICATED THAT, FOR THE ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS THAT EXISTED, THERE WAS A THREAT OF VISIBLE CARBURETOR ICE AT BOTH RATED ENGINE POWER AND GLIDE POWER SETTINGS. TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT WERE 77 DEGREES AND 64 DEGREES RESPECTIVELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5488K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5488K-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N 17274154, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274154
- Airframe hours: 6450
- Engines: LYCOMING D-320-D2J 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Travis Aerial, Inc.
- Registered owner: Travis Aerial, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1990, 700 hours before
- Departed: E27, WHITE CITY, NM
- Destination: ELP, EL PASO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,340 total, 400 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 110 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELP, 9 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 19910702025629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910702025629A), Jul 2, 1991: Cessna 172P, El Paso, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit after descending beyond a mountain range. Nosed over landing. Conditions good for carburetor icing.

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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