# NTSB IAD96LA123: Cessna 172 RG, N6169R, Union Bridge, MD, July 25, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 25, 1996, 11:34 local (15:34 UTC) - Place: Union Bridge, MD - Coordinates: 39.559677, -77.169731 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5597&lon=-77.1697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28090 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD96LA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28090/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD96LA123 ## Probable cause loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - crop - Gear collapsed, emergency landing - landing gear,main gear - overload - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot reported that while in cruise flight at approximately 3500 feet, '...the engine lost power, propeller continued to windmill. All seemed normal except no power.' The pilot stated that he used his Global Positioning System receiver to look for an airport within gliding distance and found none. He said he notified air traffic control and '...picked wheat stubble field to land. We were low and had to avoid a tree - swung too wide and came down in corn which turned out to be 10 to 12 ft tall. It was a hard landing. Nose wheel broke off. Left landing gear broke. Came to rest with left wing tip on ground.' During a postaccident examination, the engine was visually inspected, and a run-up was conducted. The engine would only run when the mixture control was in an excessively lean position. The carburetor was flow checked and the results were within specification. An inspection of the carburetor did not reveal a mechanical discrepancy. ## Factual narrative On July 25, 1996, at 1134 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172RG, N6169R, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in a cornfield, after a loss of engine power during cruise flight. The certificated private pilot and the one passenger reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. The airplane departed Gordonsville, West Virginia, at approximately 1040, with an intended destination of Saxtons River, Vermont. The pilot reported that while in cruise flight at approximately 3500 feet, "...the engine lost power, propeller continued to windmill. All seemed normal except no power." The pilot stated that he used his Global Positioning System receiver to look for an airport within gliding distance and found none. He said he notified Dulles Approach Control and "...picked wheat stubble field to land. We were low and had to avoid a tree - swung too wide and came down in corn which turned out to be 10 to 12 ft tall. It was a hard landing. Nose wheel broke off. Left landing gear broke. Came to rest with left wing tip on ground." A post accident examination of the airplane was performed by a Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness). According to the Inspector's statement, "Engine was visually inspected and a post accident engine run-up was performed. Upon completion, found engine would only stay running when mixture control was in an excessively lean position. Suspect a fuel metering problem." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6169R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6169R), registered now, S/N 172RG0102 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 RG - Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172RG0102 - Airframe hours: 1400 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: George H. Rowell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 23, 1996, 6 hours before - Departed: GVE, GORDONSVILLE, VA - Destination: SAXTONS RIVER, VT - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 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 19960725047289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960725047289A), Jul 25, 1996: Cessna 172RG, Unionbridge, MD, Substantial damage. (-16) Pilot with 1 passenger departed gve airport. Aircraft had been topped off with fuel prior to departure. Approx. 1 hour into the flight while cruising at… 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.