# NTSB LAX92LA051: Cessna 172M, N733PB, Saipan, Sark, November 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1991, 10:55 local (18:55 UTC)
- Place: Saipan, Sark
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27508
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27508/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA051

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICING AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO CORRECTLY USE CARBURETOR HEAT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR, THE 100 HOUR STUDENT PILOT WAS PRACTICING AIRWORK IN PREPARATION FOR HIS PRIVATE PILOT FLIGHT TEST WHICH WAS SCHEDULED FOR THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE OPERATOR SAID THE PILOT TOLD THEM HE WAS PRACTICING SLOW FLIGHT MANEUVERS AND THE ENGINE FALTERED WHEN HE ADDED POWER TO EXIT THE MANEUVER. THE PILOT FIRST DECIDED TO LAND ON A NEARBY GOLF COURSE, HOWEVER, HE OBSERVED MANY PEOPLE ON THE FAIRWAYS AND ELECTED TO LAND ON NEARBY BEACH. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH ROCKS AND THE GROUND DURING THE LANDING FLARE. THE OFFICIAL SAIPAN WEATHER OBSERVATION FOR THE ACCIDENT TIME LISTS A TEMPERATURE OF 80 DEGREES AND A DEW POINT OF 74 DEGREES. EXAMINATION OF THE CARBURETOR ICING PROBABILITY CHART REVEALS THAT THE TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT ARE IN AN AREA DEFINED AS 'SERIOUS ICING GLIDE POWER.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N733PB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N733PB-1992-12-01), registration cancelled 1992-12-01, S/N 17268433 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17218433
- Airframe hours: 4759
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Pacific Island Aviation
- Registered owner: Pacific Island Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 14, 1991, 32 hours before
- Departed: GSN, SAIPAN, OF

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 75 total, 68 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSN, 10 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 19911126053539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911126053539A), Nov 26, 1991: Cessna 172N, Saipan, PS, Substantial damage. Engine faltered on resuming power after practice slow flight. Landing on beach hit rocks. Carb icing prevalent.

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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