# NTSB LAX92LA084: Cessna 172H, N1608F, Arcata, CA, January 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 8, 1992, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Arcata, CA
- Coordinates: 40.849506, -124.04956 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8495&lon=-124.0496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27534
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27534/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA084

## Probable cause

CARBURETOR ICING AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO 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 - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - berm

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO GRADUALLY LOSE POWER, THEN QUIT ALTOGETHER. HE ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING IN A PASTURE, HIT A BERM DURING THE LANDING ROLL OUT AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. FAA INSPECTORS EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND FOUND FUEL IN ALL TANKS AND LINES. THE ENGINE WAS STARTED IN THE AIRCRAFT AND EXERCISED THROUGHOUT ITS NORMAL POWER RANGE. THE ARCATA AVIATION SURFACE OBSERVATION WAS REPORTING A TEMPERATURE OF 50 DEGREES AND A DEW POINT OF 38 DEGREES. REVIEW OF THE CARBURETOR ICING PROBABILITY CHART REVEALED THAT THE TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT WAS LOCATED IN AN AREA OF THE CHART DEFINED AS 'SERIOUS ICING, CLIMB OR CRUISE POWER.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1608F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1608F), registered now, S/N 17255003, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 55003
- Airframe hours: 3864
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Samoa Flying Service
- Registered owner: Samoa Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 9, 1991, 25 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 274 total, 234 in this make and model, 205 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACV, 15 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 19920108000329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920108000329A), Jan 8, 1992: Cessna 172H, Arcata, CA, Substantial damage. Engine ran rough then quit. Nosed over landing in a pasture. Carburetor icing in serious category.

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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