# NTSB MIA90LA048: Cessna 172RG, N6290R, Astatula, FL, January 5, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 5, 1990, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Astatula, FL
- Location: 28.7073° N, 81.7342° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Astatula, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7073&lon=-81.7342&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 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32611
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32611/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA048

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON DURING A SIMULATED FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - fuel system,selector/valve - worn
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) POSITIONED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM BOTH TO THE LEFT TANK, THEN REDUCED THE THROTTLE TO IDLE, SIMULATING ENG FAILURE. THE STUDENT PERFORMED THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES TO SIMULATE RESTARTING THE ENG, TO INCLUDE POSITIONING THE FUEL SELECTOR TO BOTH. THE STUDENT MANEUVERED THE ACFT TO THE SELECTED LANDING AREA. AT ABOUT 300 FT AGL, THE CFI WAS ASSURED THAT THE STUDENT COULD HAVE LANDED IN THE SELECTED AREA, SO HE TOOK CONTROL OF THE ACFT & RAISED THE FLAPS TO 20 DEGS. DURING THE CLIMB OUT AT ABOUT 400 FT, THE ENG QUIT RUNNING. THE EMERGENCY CHECKLIST WAS  FOLLOWED, BUT THE ENG WOULD NOT RESTART. DURING A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD, THE ACFT NOSED OVER AFTER TOUCHDOWN. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. WHEN CHECKED AFTER THE ACDNT, THE ENG OPERATED NORMALLY TO ABOUT 1500 RPM, BUT WAS NOT OPERATED TO A HIGHER RPM DUE TO DAMAGE TO THE PROP. THE FUEL SELECTOR HANDLE WAS ROTATED & FOUND TO BE WORN, MAKING THE DETENT DIFFICULT TO LOCATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6290R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6290R-2014-11-12), registration cancelled 2014-11-12, S/N 172RG0150, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0150
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: American Flyers
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: FXE, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 800 total, 50 in this make and model, 721 as pilot in command, 248 in the last 90 days, 78 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: PBI, 37 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 19900105000149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900105000149A), Jan 5, 1990: Cessna 172RG, Astatula, FL, Substantial damage. Worn fuel selector made it difficult to select position when used for training. Not in detent. Engine quit.

## Other investigations on N6290R (1)

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 FTW85LA355](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA355), Sep 21, 1985: Cessna 172RG (N6290R), Mineral Wells, TX, 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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