# NTSB MIA89IA095: Cessna 172N, N734MC, Homestead, FL, February 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1989, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Homestead, FL
- Coordinates: 25.490211, -80.509979 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.4902&lon=-80.5100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32328
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89IA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32328/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89IA095

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION CAUSED BY A STICKING NEEDLE VALVE WHICH WAS SOFTENED BY CONTACT WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUEL PREVIOUSLY USED TO OPERATE THE ENGINE.

## 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, climb - to cruise
  - fuel system,carburetor - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - improper (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE CLIMBING TO CRUISE THE PLT REPORTED THE ENG LOST POWER THEN QUIT. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. AFTER TOUCHDOWN DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE ACFT NOSED OVER. AFTER A TEMPORARY FUEL SUPPLY WAS CONNECTED TO THE ENG, ATTEMPTS TO RUN IT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL WITHOUT PUMPING THE THROTTLE. THE CARBURETOR WAS REMOVED & DISASSEMBLY REVEALED A STICKING NEEDLE VALVE. AFTER REASSEMBLY & INSTALLATION, THE ENG OPERATED NORMALLY. PRIOR TO THE ACFT PURCHASE BY THE FLIGHT SCHOOL, THE ENGINE HAD BEEN OPERATED USING AUTOMOTIVE FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N734MC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N734MC), registered now, S/N 17268952, built 1977 (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: 17268952
- Airframe hours: 1671
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Savco Flying Co.
- Registered owner: Airship Ventures Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 21, 1989, 16 hours before
- Destination: X01, EVERGLADES CITY, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 213 total, 19 in this make and model, 154 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TMB, 18 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).

- [Incident 19890225002649I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890225002649I), Feb 25, 1989: Cessna 172N, Homestead, FL, Minor damage. Engine quit on climbout. Nosed over on forced landing. Carburetor needle valve sticking. Prior owner used auto fuel

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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