# NTSB MIA85LA158: Cessna 172K, N46494, Sharpes, FL, April 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1985, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Sharpes, FL
- Location: 28.4436° N, 80.7614° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sharpes, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4436&lon=-80.7614&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31391
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31391/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA158

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering
  - fuel system,carburetor - improper (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - lowering of flaps - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

CARBURETOR HAD RUSTED PARTS AND NEEDED AN OVERHAUL. PILOT WAS DEMONSTRATING POWER OFF STALL TO PASSENGERS, WHEN HE TRIED TO APPLY POWER, ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. LANDED IN SOFT TERRAIN. SWERVED TO AVOID DITCH. NOSE WHEEL COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46494](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46494-2013-10-23), registration cancelled 2013-10-23, S/N 17257305, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17257305
- Airframe hours: 3530
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Sky Ads
- Registered owner: Dennis Foldesi
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 8, 1984, 63 hours before
- Departed: COI, MERRITT ISLAND, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,300 total, 620 in this make and model, 2,185 as pilot in command, 1,088 in the last 90 days, 626 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TIX, 6 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 19850427015679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850427015679A), Apr 27, 1985: Cessna 172K, Sharpes, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit and after dropping banner, aircraft nosed over in sandy field. Fuel venting problem.

## Other investigations on N46494 (3)

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 IAD78FLJ16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78FLJ16), Jun 29, 1978: Cessna 172 (N46494), Aulander, NC, substantial damage
- [NTSB IAD75DKM10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD75DKM10), Sep 18, 1974: Cessna 172K (N46494), Indian Trail, NC, substantial damage
- [NTSB IAD71DIJ19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD71DIJ19), Apr 16, 1971: Cessna 172 (N46494), Welch, WV, 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.

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