# NTSB FTW96LA010: Cessna 172N, N738DF, Crockett, TX, October 8, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 8, 1995, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Crockett, TX - Coordinates: 31.31031, -95.449737 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3103&lon=-95.4497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19683 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19683/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA010 ## Probable cause failure of both magnetos to operate properly due to inadequate maintenance by other maintenance personnel. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain available 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(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - ignition system,magneto - malfunction (cause) - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was en route to Tyler, Texas, when the engine lost power. He reported activating carburetor heat, moving fuel selector from both to 'left or right', and trying to restart the engine. The engine did not start and he proceeded to make a forced landing. Upon touch down in a soft field the airplane nosed over coming to rest in the inverted position. Attempts to start the engine during a test run were not successful. Examination of the magnetos revealed that the contacts in both magnetos were not opening when the rotor was turned. The contacts were adjusted and the internal timing per manufactures maintenance manual was set. After reinstallation of the magnetos, the engine started and operated normally. ## Factual narrative On October 8, 1995, at 1200 central daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N738DF, registered to Ginevan Enterprises, Inc. and operated by Ellington Field Aero Club under Title 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Crockett, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight and a flight plan was not filed. The private pilot and his passenger received minor injuries. The flight originated from Houston, Texas, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes before the accident. According to the pilot, he was cruising at 5,500 feet en route to Tyler, Texas. Shortly after passing Kennard, Texas, the engine lost power. The pilot reported activating carburetor heat, moving fuel selector from both to "left or right", and trying to restart the engine. The engine did not start and he proceeded to make a forced landing. Upon touch down in a soft field the airplane nosed over coming to rest in the inverted position. The engine was removed and mounted on another airframe for a test run. Attempts to start the engine were not successful. Examination of the magnetos revealed that the contacts in both magnetos were not opening when the rotor was turned. The contacts were adjusted and the internal timing per manufactures maintenance manual was set. After reinstallation of the magnetos, the engine started and operated normally. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N738DF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N738DF), registered now, S/N 17269890, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-H2AD](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-h2ad) (registry code 42131, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17269890 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ellington Field Aero Club - Registered owner: Ginevan Enterprise, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 19, 1995, 100 hours before - Departed: EFD, HOUSTON, TX - Destination: 09R, TYLER, TX - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 109 total, 35 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 8 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LFK, 25 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 19951008031339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951008031339A), Oct 8, 1995: Cessna 172N, Crockett, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Nosed over landing. Magneto contacts not opening. Adjusted to specs engine ran normal. 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.