# NTSB LAX99LA030: Cessna 172N, N2401E, Prescott, AZ, November 13, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 13, 1998, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Prescott, AZ - Coordinates: 34.619766, -112.420181 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6198&lon=-112.4202&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45325 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA030 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45325/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA030 ## Probable cause The failure of the flight instructor to provide adequate supervision of the student pilot during a simulated emergency landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - fuel system,selector/valve - switched off (contributing factor) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven - landing gear - sheared ## Analysis The flight instructor and student pilot were conducting a simulated engine failure from approximately 3,500 feet agl. The student inadvertently shut the fuel selector off without the instructor noticing. About 500 feet agl, the instructor asked the student to do a go-around. There was no response when full throttle was applied, so the instructor took the controls and performed an emergency landing. The left landing gear hit a tree stump and was sheared off. The aircraft came to rest in an upright position. ## Factual narrative On November 13, 1998, at 1600 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172N, N2401E, force landed in rough terrain 15 miles west of Prescott, Arizona, following a loss of engine power. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor and dual student, the sole occupants, were not injured. The local instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 and originated at the Prescott Airport at 1510. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight instructor reported that he and the student were conducting a simulated engine failure from approximately 3,500 feet agl. He reported that the student inadvertently shut the fuel selector off without him noticing. About 500 feet agl, the flight instructor asked the student to do a go-around. There was no response when full throttle was applied, so the instructor took the controls and performed an emergency landing. The left landing gear hit a tree stump and was sheared off. The aircraft came to rest in an upright position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2401E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2401E-2017-10-19), registration cancelled 2017-10-19, S/N 17271268, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17271268 - Airframe hours: 3306 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Embry-Riddle Aero. University - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, November 5, 1998, 15 hours before - Departed: PRC, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,090 total, 880 in this make and model, 980 as pilot in command, 161 in the last 90 days, 96 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 65 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °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 19981113034739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981113034739A), Nov 13, 1998: Cessna 172N, Prescott, AZ, Substantial damage. On November 13, 1998, at 1600 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172N, N2401E, force landed in rough terrain 15 miles west of Prescott Arizona, following a… ## Other investigations on N2401E (1) 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. - [NTSB CEN12CA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA030), Oct 17, 2011: Cessna 172N (N2401E), Covington, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a banner drop, resulting in an aerodynamic stall. 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.