# NTSB FTW98LA005: Cessna 175A, N7091E, Bentonville, AR, October 5, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 5, 1997, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Bentonville, AR - Location: 36.3729° N, 94.2088° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bentonville, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3729&lon=-94.2088&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20445 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA005 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20445/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA005 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. A factor was the 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, climb - to cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - fence ## Analysis During the initial takeoff climb though 600 feet AGL at 350 fpm, 0.5 mile from the airport, the engine started running rough and there was a partial loss of power. The power was insufficient for maintaining the altitude of the airplane. During the forced landing to a field, the airplane touched down short of a fence extending across the field. The airplane struck the metal fence posts, collapsed the nose gear, and skidded about 90 feet before coming to a stop. After the airplane came to a stop, the rear seat passenger observed smoke coming from the right side of the aircraft. The pilot and passengers exited the airplane through the left passenger door. The airplane was consumed by the fire. Examination of the airplane revealed that the 'fire was concentrated around the carburetor and the aft portion of the engine.' However, fire damage precluded a determination of the cause of the partial loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On October 5, 1997, at 1030 central daylight time, a Cessna 175A, N7091E, owned and operated by a private individual under Title 14 CFR Part 91, was destroyed during a post impact fire following a forced landing due to a partial loss of engine power near Bentonville, Arkansas. The private pilot and the two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the local personal flight departing Bentonville at 1025. On the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, and during personal interviews, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported performing the preflight of the airplane, taxiing to runway 17, and completing the before takeoff checklist. There were no discrepancies noted prior to the departure. The airplane was climbing through 600 feet AGL at 350 fpm, 0.5 mile south of the airport, when the engine started running rough and not developing enough power to maintain the altitude of the airplane. The pilot performed the emergency checklist and executed a forced landing to a field. The airplane touched down short of a fence extending across the field and during the landing roll, the airplane struck the metal fence posts, collapsed the nose gear, and skidded about 90 feet before coming to a stop. After the airplane came to a stop, the rear seat passenger observed smoke coming from the right side of the aircraft. The pilot and passengers exited the airplane through the left passenger door. The airplane was consumed by the fire. The FAA inspector, who examined the airplane, reported that the airplane was destroyed except for a portion of the left wing, the vertical stabilizer, and the engine. The integrity of the fuel system was compromised; however, the inspector found fuel in the left tank. The accessory case of the engine was melted. On October 14, 1997, the airplane was re-examined at Clinton, Arkansas, by the FAA inspector. The FAA inspector reported that the "fire was concentrated around the carburetor and the aft portion of the engine." However, fire damage precluded a determination of the cause of the partial loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7091E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7091E-1999-03-19), registration cancelled 1999-03-19, S/N 56591 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 175A - Registry model: [Cessna 175A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175a) (registry code 2072504) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 56591 - Airframe hours: 2405 - Engines: Continental GO-300-C 175 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John M. Brissel - Registered owner: John M. Brissel - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 1997, 116 hours before - Departed: VBT - Airport: VBT, Bentonville Municipal, runway 17, 4,082 × 65 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 391 total, 277 in this make and model, 363 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °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 19971005030039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971005030039A), Oct 5, 1997: Cessna 175A, Bentonville, AR, Destroyed. Engine stalled on takeoff, landing gear struck a fence while attempting to land. Crashed and burned. (-23) on October 5, 1997, at 1025 central daylight time, a… 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.