# NTSB MIA91LA099: Cessna 172N, N88FP, Panama City, FL, March 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1991, 15:42 local (21:42 UTC)
- Place: Panama City, FL
- Coordinates: 30.200023, -85.669197 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2000&lon=-85.6692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32833
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32833/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA099

## Probable cause

CARBURETOR ICING DUE TO IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT BY THE PILOT, RESULTING IN A FORCED LANDING AND DITCHING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, climb
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Ditching, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED VFR ON A PERSONAL FLT ALONG THE SHORELINE.  NO FLT PLAN WAS FILED.  THE PLT/PAX INITIATED A CLIMB AND THE ENG STARTED TO BACKFIRE.  THE PLT TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, APPLIED FULL THROTTLE, OBTAINED BEST GLIDE AIRSPEED AND INITIATED A FORCED LANDING ON THE BEACH.  HOWEVER, THE LANDING WAS DIVERTED TO THE OCEAN DUE TO PERSONNEL ON THE BEACH. WITNESSES STATED THEY OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE IN MANEUVERS DESCRIBED AS CHANDELLES WITH SHARP POWER REDUCTION AND 1/2 MILE GLIDE. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRECRASH FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. A REVIEW OF ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS INDICATED SERIOUS ICING AT GLIDE POWER BASED ON WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88FP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N88FP-1992-02-06), registration cancelled 1992-02-06, S/N 17271460 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271460
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AP 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bay Aero Center, Inc.
- Registered owner: Bay Aero Center, Inc.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 955 total, 605 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Observed at: PFN, 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 19910314005369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910314005369A), Mar 14, 1991: Cessna 172N, Panama City Bea, FL, Substantial damage. Observed low passes over beach and performing chandelles. Engine quit. Ditched closed to beach. Carb ice probability

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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