# NTSB LAX96LA026: Cessna 172H, N2552L, Borrego Springs, CA, October 28, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 28, 1995, 09:27 local (16:27 UTC) - Place: Borrego Springs, CA - Coordinates: 33.170242, -116.269981 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1702&lon=-116.2700&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29322 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA026 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29322/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA026 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which failed to detect a bird's nest in the air induction system. Factors in the accident were carburetor icing conditions and the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, descent - normal - induction air ducting - blocked(partial) (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor) - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot stated that while descending for landing he applied carburetor heat. The engine rpm decreased to about 1000, and subsequently could not be adjusted by the pilot. The pilot then elected to land on a dirt area in a landfill southeast of the airport. The nose gear collapsed rearward during the landing on the uneven terrain. Straw debris was found surrounding the heat muff leading to the carburetor air box. Similar debris was also found in a large quantity inside the air box behind the air cleaner bracket. The temperature was 67 and the dew point 53 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature/dew point range is in an area on the carburetor icing probability chart which is annotated for moderate carburetor icing at cruise power and serious carburetor icing at glide power. ## Factual narrative On October 28, 1995, at 0927 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172H, N2552L, collided with ground obstructions during a forced landing near Borrego Springs, California. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of power while the aircraft was descending toward the Borrego Valley airport for landing. The aircraft was operated by the pilot on a personal cross-country flight from San Diego to Borrego Springs. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated from Brown Field in San Diego, California, on the morning of the accident at 0900. The pilot stated that while descending for landing at Borrego Valley Airport, he applied carburetor heat. The engine rpm decreased to about 1000 rpm and subsequently could not be adjusted by the pilot. The pilot then elected to land on a dirt area in a land fill southeast of the airport. The nose gear collapsed rearward during the subsequent landing on the uneven terrain. An FAA airworthiness inspector from the San Diego Flight Standards District Office examined the aircraft at the accident site. The inspector stated that the aircraft right fuel tank appeared to be about 3/4 full and that the fuel selector was positioned on the right tank. Flight and engine control continuity was established. The carburetor was also examined. When the throttle lever was actuated, fuel was observed squirting. Fuel was also observed in the carburetor bowl assembly. Straw debris was found surrounding the heat muff leading to the carburetor air box. Similar debris was also found in a large quantity inside the air box behind the air cleaner bracket. Thermal Airport is located about 25 miles to the northeast of the accident site. The 0851 local surface observation included a temperature of 67 degrees and a dew point of 53 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature/dew point range is in an area on the carburetor icing probability chart annotated "moderate carburetor icing at cruise power and serious carburetor icing at glide power." This aircraft is equipped with a Continental O-300 engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2552L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2552L), registered now, S/N 17255752, built 1967 (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: 17255752 - Airframe hours: 3849 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kenneth H. Smith - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1995 - Departed: SDM, SAN DIEGO, CA - Destination: L08, BORREGO VALLEY, CA - Airport: L08, Borrego Valley ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 700 in this make and model, 2,940 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TRM, 25 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 19951028034859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951028034859A), Oct 28, 1995: Cessna 172H, Borrego Springs, CA, Substantial damage. On landing approach power dropped to 100 rpms. Crash landed. Straw in air intake. Carb icing high in area. 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.