# NTSB MIA94LA177: Cessna 172M, N5233R, Tampa, FL, July 9, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 9, 1994, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Tampa, FL - Location: 27.9286° N, 82.4425° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from PETER O KNIGHT (TPF), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9286&lon=-82.4425&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37574 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA177 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37574/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA177 ## Probable cause THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER APPROACH DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS A FACTOR. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise - ignition system,spark plug - fouled - maintenance,adjustment - improper, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Overrun, landing - roll - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence ## Analysis THE FLIGHT LOST PARTIAL ENGINE POWER WHILE CLIMBING TO CRUISE ALTITUDE AFTER DEPARTURE. WHILE MAKING A FORCED LANDING AT AN AIRPORT THE FLIGHT TOUCHED DOWN AT THE MID POINT ON THE RUNWAY AT 100 KNOTS. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE OVER RUNNING THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDING WITH A FENCE. THE BOTTOM SPARK PLUGS WERE FOUND TO HAVE EXCESSIVE ELECTRODE GAPS AND TO BE FOULED. AFTER CHANGING THE PLUGS THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND OPERATED TO FULL POWER. ## Factual narrative On July 9, 1994, about 1530 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N5233R, registered to Gordon Air Services, Inc., ran off the runway and collided with a fence while making a forced landing following partial loss of engine power at Peter O. Knight Airport, Tampa, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated at Tampa, Florida, on July 9, 1994, about 1525. The pilot stated he departed Tampa International Airport and was climbing to his cruise altitude when passing through 1,800 feet the engine lost about 600 rpm. Attempts to recover engine power were unsuccessful. He saw Peter O. Knight Airport ahead and descended for landing on runway 17. The landing to runway 17 was aborted due to excessive airspeed and altitude. A turn to the left was made for a downwind approach to runway 21. While landing on runway 21 he touched down about halfway down the runway at about 100 knots with half flaps extended. He could not stop the aircraft before over-running the runway and colliding with a fence. After the accident the engine was started and operated to 2,000 rpm where it ran roughly. The bottom spark plugs were removed and replaced with serviceable spark plugs. The engine was then started and operated normally to full power. Examination of the bottom spark plugs indicated the plugs were gapped over twice the recommended gap and that the plugs were fouled. The engine had a Supplemental Type Certificate complied with, allowing operation with automotive fuel. The owner stated they did normally operate with automotive fuel. The pilot stated he had just topped off the fuel tanks with 100 low lead aviation fuel before the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: N5233R (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17263447 - Airframe hours: 8618 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Gorden. Keith, doing business as Gordon Air Services, Inc. - Registered owner: Gordon Air Services Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 20, 1994, 41 hours before - Destination: TMB, MIAMI, FL - Airport: TPF, Peter O. Knight Airport, runway 21, 3,400 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 9 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TPA, 16 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 19940709019499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940709019499A), Jul 9, 1994: Cessna 172M, Tampa, FL, Substantial damage. Lost partial power. Tried land runway 17 too high. Tried 21 over shot into fence. Found worn and fouled spark plugs 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.