# NTSB MIA02LA064: Cessna 172, N1915V, Marion, SC, February 28, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 28, 2002, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Marion, SC - Coordinates: 34.199127, -79.250831 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1991&lon=-79.2508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Columbia SC - NTSB case key (mKey): 54281 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA02LA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54281/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54281 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02LA064 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power during takeoff/initial climb due to undetermined reasons, resulting in a landing on unsuitable terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - ground - terrain condition - none suitable ## Analysis The pilot stated that as she was taking off, while at an altitude of about 500 feet, she noticed a large drop in power. She said that with full power applied, the aircraft engine "surged a couple of times", and she executed a forced landing to an open field, during which the aircraft was damaged. An FAA certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic, with an inspection authorization stated to the NTSB that he examined the accident airplane and found no anomalies with the aircraft's fuel, ignition and induction systems. The mechanic further stated that he also performed a test run on the engine, operating it to about 1,700 rpms and it functioned normally. ## Factual narrative On February 28, 2002, about 1315 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172, N1915V, registered to, and operated by Euphoria Limited, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed while attempting a forced landing following loss of engine power during takeoff from Marion, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot, sole occupant of the aircraft, received minor injuries, and the aircraft incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that she had flown to Marion Airport, and had performed a few touch-and-go landings, followed by a full stop landing. She stated that as she was taking off to fly back to Elizabethtown, while at an altitude of about 500 feet, she noticed a large drop in power. She said that with full power applied, the aircraft engine "surged a couple of times", and she executed a forced landing to an open field, during which the aircraft incurred damage to the airframe. An FAA certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic, with an inspection authorization rating, stated to the NTSB that he examined the accident airplane and found no anomalies with the aircraft's fuel, ignition and induction systems. In addition, the mechanic stated that he performed a "test run" on the engine, operating it to about 1,700 rpms, and it functioned normally. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1915V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1915V), registered now, S/N 17263793 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17263793 - Airframe hours: 726.5 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Euphoria Ltd/Carol Moore - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2001, 11.5 hours before - Departed: MAO, Marion, SC - Destination: 4WI, Elizabethtown, NC - Airport: MAO, Marion County Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 4, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 605 total, 230 in this make and model, 321 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 7 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: FAY, 55 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 20020228005259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020228005259A), Feb 28, 2002: Cessna 172, Marion, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reported after touch and go landing engine sputtered and then stopped. Pilot made forced landing in a soft field approximately 1/4 mile from… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 30, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54281. 548 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 457 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390537&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports - Mechanic's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390536&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%20-%20Mechanic%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF 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.