# NTSB MIA89LA084: Cessna 172M, N303CR, San Juan, PR, February 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 11, 1989, 18:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: San Juan, PR
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32397
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32397/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA084

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROPERLY USE CARBURETOR HEAT IN CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, ABOUT 500 FT ABOVE THE AIRPORT, THE PLT REPORTED THE ENG GRADUALLY LOST POWER. UNABLE TO LAND BACK AT THE ARPT, THE ACFT WAS DITCHED. AFTER RECOVERY & REPLACEMENT OF THE MAGNETOS, WIRING HARNESSES, & PLUGS, THE ENG RAN WITH NO ABNORMALITIES. CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF DEPARTURE WERE CONDUCIVE TO THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE. THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL WAS FOUND IN THE OFF/COLD POSITION. TEMP WAS REPORTED AS 78 DEG F AND DEWPOINT WAS 69 DEG F.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N303CR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N303CR-2013-05-10), registration cancelled 2013-05-10, S/N 17264107, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264107
- Airframe hours: 4226
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cloud Riders Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 7, 1988, 92 hours before
- Airport: SIG, Isla Grande, runway 9, 5,317 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJU, 2 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 19890211031959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890211031959A), Feb 11, 1989: Cessna 172M, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Reported engine failed on climbout. Ditched in a lagoon. Salt water damage obscured cause of failure.

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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