# NTSB FTW95LA375: Cessna 172N, N5798J, Bonham, TX, September 1, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 1, 1995, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Bonham, TX - Coordinates: 33.580177, -96.179428 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5802&lon=-96.1794&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19567 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA375 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19567/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA375 ## Probable cause THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS WERE THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - building(nonresidential) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The flight's destination was a farm near Bonham. During a low approach over the farm field, the pilot decided to abort the landing and go to Jones Field. During the aborted landing, a partial loss of engine power occurred. As the airplane descended toward a barn and trees, the pilot banked the airplane to the left and missed the barn. The left wing struck trees and the airplane impacted the ground coming to rest inverted. During an engine test run throughout a range of power settings, no mechanical discrepancies were found. The pilot reported a 102 degree (F) temperature, an altimeter setting of 30.00, and a site elevation of 600 feet. Utilizing this data, the calculated density altitude exceeded 3,000 feet. ## Factual narrative On September 1, 1995, at 1500 central daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N5798J, collided with trees during an aborted landing near Bonham, Texas. The private pilot and one passenger received minor injuries and the other passenger was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Centerline Aviation operated the airplane under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross country flight and a flight plan was not filed. The pilot reported that the flight had departed Addison, Texas, approximately 1420, en route to a farm near Bonham. During a low approach over the farm field, the pilot decided to abort the landing and go to Jones Field at Bonham. When the pilot "pushed in [the] throttle, plane sputtered then resumed power." On climb out, the airplane "sputtered again." From 80 to 90 feet above the ground, the airplane descended to 30 to 50 feet toward a barn and trees. With the airplane continuing the descent, the pilot banked the airplane to the left and missed the barn; however, the left wing struck trees and the airplane impacted the ground coming to rest nose down. Structural damage occurred to the firewall, right wing, and fuselage. An engine test run (sheet enclosed) was conducted in the presence of the owner's representative and the FAA inspector. Throughout a range of power settings, no mechanical discrepancies were found. The pilot reported a Fahrenheit temperature of 102 degrees, an altimeter setting of 30.00 inches, and the site elevation as 600 feet. Utilizing this data, the calculated density altitude exceeded 3,000 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5798J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5798J-1997-02-05), registration cancelled 1997-02-05, S/N 17273838 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17273838 - Airframe hours: 5361 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Centerline Aviation, Inc. - Registered owner: Kurt S. Brent - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 1995, 10 hours before - Departed: ADS, ADDISON, TX - Destination: NONE, TX - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 108 total, 21 in this make and model, 87 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 102 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19950901047979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950901047979A), Sep 1, 1995: Cessna 172N, Bonham, TX, Substantial damage. (.4) The flight's destination was a farm near Bonham. During a low approach over the farm field, the pilot decided to abort the landing and go to jones field.… 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.