# NTSB MIA03LA143: Cessna 172P, N52186, Plymouth, FL, July 20, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 20, 2003, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Plymouth, FL - Coordinates: 28.706943, -81.581665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7069&lon=-81.5817&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 57518 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03LA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57518/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA143 ## Probable cause The pilot's continue operation with known deficiencies (engine vibration) resulting in a partial loss of engine power during climb after takeoff and overrun of the runway during the aborted takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - ignition system,spark plug - fouled - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - aborted takeoff - initiated, pilot in command(cfi) - ignition system,spark plug - fouled - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated that during the initial climbout from Sanford he noticed a slight, brief engine vibration however the gauges were within normal limits and continue with the flight. While performing touch-and-go landings at Orlando Country Airport, the student reported to him that the airplane was not performing/climbing normally on upwind. According to the CFI during takeoff following a touch-and-go demonstration to the student, while in ground effect, the engine "sputtered" and he was unable to establish a positive climb rate. He initiated precautionary landing with one-third of the runway remaining. He states he then applied the brakes until the airplane departed the departure end of the runway impacting a ditch. The CFI and the student pilot stated, in similar initial on-scene written statements to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, that the takeoff "did not go as planned" and that they needed to collect their thoughts before giving a statement to the FAA. A witness to the accident stated hearing the accident airplane power up and power down before the sound of brakes locking up. An examination of the engine revealed the number one cylinder's spark plugs were fouled with lead and oil. The nearest reported winds to the accident site were from 310 degrees at 5 knots at the Orlando Executive Airport, Orlando, Florida. At the time of the accident, the pilots were conducting touch-and-go landings on runway 15, published runway length of 2,675 feet in length by 120 feet in width. ## Factual narrative On July 20, 2003, about 1045 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N52186, registered to and operated Delta Connection Academy impacted with a ditch at the Orlando Country Airport, Plymouth, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The airplane incurred substantial damage. The commercial-rated pilot/certified flight instructor and commercial-rated student pilot reported no injuries. The flight had originated from the Sanford Airport, Orlando, Florida, at about 1015. The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated that during the initial climbout from Sanford he noticed a slight, brief engine vibration however the gauges were within normal limits. While performing touch-and-go landings at Orlando Country Airport, the student reported to him that the airplane was not performing/climbing normally on upwind. The CFI added that while he was demonstrating an approach and landing, he landed 200 feet past the threshold, set the flaps at ten degrees for a soft field takeoff, and added full power. While in ground effect, the engine "sputtered" and he was unable to establish a positive climb rate. He increased the pitch to obtain 56 KIAS to initiate a short field procedure. He stated that due to lack of performance at midfield, he aborted the takeoff and landed the airplane with one-third of the runway remaining. He initially applied full brakes and then applied the brakes in spurts to prevent skidding. He continued applying brakes until the airplane ran out of usable runway and overrun finally encountering a ditch. The commercial-rated student pilot stated that his first two approaches into Orlando Country were too high on final, so two go-arounds were initiated and the third approach resulted in a normal touch and go landing. On his next approach his airspeed was excessive, so he initiated a go around. At this point the CFI took control of the aircraft to demonstrate a soft-field landing. After the touch and go, while in ground effect, there was a brief engine "hiccup" therefore the CFI decided to abort the takeoff. The airplane touched down approximately two-thirds to three-quarters down the runway and the power was reduced to idle and full brakes were applied. They began to lose directional stability and veered to the left at the end of the runway to avoid other vehicles and the airplane overshot the runway. The commercial-rated student pilot did not report any mechanical abnormalities or performance deficiencies to the airplane prior to the engine "hiccup" in his statement. Both pilots stated, in similar initial on-scene statements to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, that the takeoff "did not go as planned" and that they needed to collect their thoughts before giving a statement to the FAA. A witness to the accident stated hearing the accident airplane power up and power down before the sound of brakes locking up. An FAA oversight examination of the engine revered no abnormalities to the engine except for the number one cylinder's spark plugs. The top plug was found fouled with lead and both electrodes were bridged. The lower plug was found fouled with oil and lead. The nearest reported winds to the accident site were from 310 degrees at 5 knots at the Orlando Executive Airport, Orlando, Florida. At the time of the accident, the pilots were conducting touch-and-go landings on runway 15. The published runway length for runway 15 at Orlando Country Airport is 2,675 feet in length by 120 feet in width. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N52186](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52186-2008-09-03), registration cancelled 2008-09-03, S/N 17274429, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17274429 - Airframe hours: 8236 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Delta Connection Academy - Registered owner: T&D Ventures - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, July 11, 2003, 39 hours before - Departed: SFB, ORLANDO, FL - Airport: X04, Orlando Country, runway 15, 3,165 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 26; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 4, 2003; seat: right; flight hours: 982 total, 425 in this make and model, 907 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 32; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review July 28, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 212 total, 119 in this make and model, 142 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KORL, 17 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 20030720015979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030720015979A), Jul 20, 2003: Cessna 172P, Plymouth, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 20, 2003 at approximately 1030 EDT a Cessna ce 172-P aircraft overran the existing runway while attempting to abort a take off while the aircraft… 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.