# NTSB FTW92LA071: Cessna 172, N738EC, Conroe, TX, February 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 16, 1992, 19:15 local (Feb 17, 1992, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Conroe, TX
- Coordinates: 30.319082, -95.470611 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3191&lon=-95.4706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18444
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18444/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA071

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN WATER IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. A FACTOR WAS THE NIGHT LIGHTING CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel system,tank - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT NIGHT WHEN IT EXPERIENCED AN INFLIGHT TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO A HIGHWAY. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A TREE ADJACENT THE CURVED ROADWAY. THE FAA COORDINATOR FOUND WATER IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE PILOT STATED THE ENGINE RAN ROUGH SEVERAL TIMES THAT DAY DURING THE CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N738EC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269911
- Airframe hours: 3063
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Powell, Kenneth, doing business as Omega Helicopters
- Registered owner: Powell, Kenneth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 1991, 129 hours before
- Departed: NONE, PINELAND, TX
- Destination: DWH, SPRING, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,385 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 2,132 as pilot in command, 93 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAH, 21 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 19920216040189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920216040189A), Feb 16, 1992: Cessna 172N, Conroe, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Struck a tree landing on a road at night. Found water in the fuel.

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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