# NTSB FTW96LA127: Cessna 175A, San Angelo, TX, February 21, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1996, 17:28 local (23:28 UTC)
- Place: San Angelo, TX
- Coordinates: 31.610401, -100.550361 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6104&lon=-100.5504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19767
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19767/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA127

## Probable cause

a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.  A factor was the unsuitable 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, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while the airplane was on final, he noticed he was getting too low so he added power.  When the throttle was advanced, the engine lost power, and a restart was not possible.  The airplane came to rest in a marshy area 400 feet short of the runway.  The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

## Factual narrative

On February 21, 1996, at 1728 central standard time, a Cessna 175A, Canadian registration CGROA, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near San Angelo, Texas.  The private pilot and his passenger were not injured.  The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 at the time of the occurrence.  The flight originated in Brownsville, Texas, at 1440.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.

The airplane was on final for runway 21 at Mathis Field Airport.  The pilot reported that when the airplane was about 1 mile from the runway, he found himself "getting low and applied power to get back on track.  The engine paused and then sputtered."  He further reported that a restart was not possible.  The airplane came to rest inverted in a marshy area 400 feet short of the runway.  The outboard leading edge of the right wing was damaged, the nose landing gear separated from the fuselage, and the firewall skin was torn.

Examination of the engine by the FAA inspector did not reveal any anomalies that could have prevented normal operation, and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGROA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 175A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 56244
- Engines: Continental GO-300-C 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jeff Klaiber
- Registered owner: Klaiber Land And Cattle Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 29, 1995
- Departed: BRO, BROWNSVILLE, TX
- Destination: SJT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 120 total, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

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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