# NTSB MIA00LA015: Cessna 172G, N1171F, Itta Bena, MS, October 28, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 28, 1999, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Itta Bena, MS - Coordinates: 33.490943, -90.320335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4909&lon=-90.3203&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47660 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47660/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA015 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons resulting in a forced landing that was short of the intended touchdown point, and the subsequent impact with the ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - 1 engine - undetermined - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis At an altitude of 6,500 feet the pilot stated that the engine began to run rough. He noticed that the rpm had decreased from 2400 to 2100 and applied carburetor heat. He executed a 180 degree turn and established a glide at 89 mph and determined the best landing site was a strip 5 to 6 miles south from point of the engine problem. He said he 'applied flaps and miss judged landing. Landing was in field 75-100 feet west of airstrip with the rows.' The airplane nosed into dirt and came to rest nose low. The terrain was level in the area with the exception of rows. The field rows were at 10-15 degree angle to the airstrip. Examination of the engine revealed, the engine appeared to have mechanical continuity, fuel, spark and compression. No apparent reason for the power loss was determined. ## Factual narrative On October 29, 1999, about 1100 central standard time, a Cessna 172G, N1171F, registered to a private individual, impacted with the ground during a forced landing near Itta Bena, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private-rated pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The flight had departed from the Lexington, Mississippi Airport, en route to Lakeview, Arkansas, at 1030. According to the pilot's statement, before the flight he had fueled "both tanks with automotive fuel (87 octane unleaded) and checked [the] sump and gascolator...." The flight was at an altitude of 6,500 feet when the engine began to run rough. According to the pilot, "...the climb to cruise altitude was normal...leveled and rechecked tank setting was on single tank (left I think) and then checked EGT to see if leaned properly...noticed that rpm had decreased from 2400 to 2100 and applied carburetor heat. Engine began to miss...executed 180 degree turn and established glide at 89 mph and determined best landing site was...strip 5 to 6 miles south of point of engine problem...circled to descend into a left downwind for landing on west end of airstrip. Pilot applied flaps and miss judged landing. Landing was in [a] field 75-100 feet west of [the] airstrip with the rows. Just prior to stopping nose gear broke off firewall 15 feet short of end of airstrip. The aircraft nosed into dirt on turn row and came to rest nose low...terrain was level in area (with exception of rows). The field rows were at 10-15 degree angle to airstrip." According to the FAA inspector's statement, ground marks indicated the airplane had approached the field from the north to south. The initial touchdown point was "between 75 and 100 feet from the runway end." The carburetor was found "broken off at the upper mounting flange." The inspector's examination of the engine revealed, "...engine...was clean with no signs of engine damage except the carburetor being broken off...the propeller was undamaged with no sign of impact damage. The propeller was rotated through and compression...mag impulse noted for all six cylinders. The gascolator was drained no contamination or sediment noted...the gascolator...screen examined and no contaminates were noted at the screen or bowl, fuel was present...no contamination was noted inside the airbox or carburetor....upper spark plugs...all were clean and dry and appeared properly gapped. Lower plug wires were removed mag switch placed in both the engine was rotated and spark confirmed...all cylinders had compression...fuel caps (both left and right were vented) checked OK...engine appeared to have mechanical continuity, fuel, spark and compression. No apparent reason for power loss...." . ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1171F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1171F), registered now, S/N 17254766 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172G - Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17254766 - Airframe hours: 2128 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jon M. Kimbrough III - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 1999, 18 hours before - Departed: 19M, LEXINGTON, MS - Destination: 3M0, LAKEVIEW, AR - Airport: MS22, Murphy Flying Service, runway 8, 2,300 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,228 total, 300 in this make and model, 111 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GWO, 35 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 19991028030739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991028030739A), Oct 28, 1999: Cessna 172G, Itta Bena, MS, Substantial damage. (.19) On October 29, 1999, about 1100 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N1171F, registered to a private individual, impacted with the ground during a forced… ## Other investigations on N1171F (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 FTW69F0043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69F0043), Jun 7, 1968: Cessna 172G (N1171F), Marshall, TX, substantial damage 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.