# NTSB MIA97LA224: Cessna 152, N93011, Cape Coral, FL, August 1, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1997, 08:02 local (12:02 UTC)
- Place: Cape Coral, FL
- Coordinates: 26.580057, -81.939224 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5801&lon=-81.9392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 10, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38320
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA224
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38320/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA224

## Probable cause

Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons resulting in a forced landing to unsuitable terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission

## Analysis

The pilot was in cruise flight between 1,000 feet to 1,200 feet when he experienced a partial loss of engine power followed by a total loss of engine power. He made a forced landing to the only available forced landing area which was nonsuitable. The airplane collided with wires and terrain and a postcrash fire ensued. Examination of the airframe and flight controls revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. Disassembly of the engine assembly revealed no precrash anomalies or discrepancies that would indicate the engine was not capable of running and producing power before the accident.

## Factual narrative

On August 1, 1997, about 0802 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N93011, registered to Alternative Flying Club Inc., operated by Fort Myers Airways, as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, experienced a reported loss of engine power in cruise flight, and crashed during a forced landing in the vicinity of Cape Coral, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed by a postcrash fire. The student pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from  Page Field, Fort Myers, Florida, about 42 minutes before the accident.

According to personnel on duty at Page Field Control Tower N93011 departed from  runway 5 at about 0720. At about 0801, the pilot informed them that he was 5 miles south of the airport and seemed to be losing power. The tower operator asked the pilot to ident on the transponder, and asked what was the nature of his emergency. The pilot stated he was losing power and altitude. The pilot was instructed to proceed direct to the airport and asked to verify that he did not have an instructor pilot on board the airplane. The pilot stated at 0801:59, "I dont have an instructor, " followed by " 011 I dont know." There was no other recorded conversation with the pilot.

Examination of the airframe and flight control system revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. Continuity of the flight control system was confirmed for pitch, roll, and yaw.

The engine assembly was shipped to the engine manufacture for further examination in the presence of the FAA. Textron Lycoming concluded that, "The engine disassembly did not reveal any precrash anomalies or discrepancies that would indicate that this engine was not capable of running and producing power prior to the accident." For additional information see Textron Lycoming Accident Investigation Engine Disassembly Report.

The engine assembly and accessories were released to Mr. Donald Carter, President,  Alternate Flying Club Inc., on September 30, 1997.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93011](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93011-1998-12-09), registration cancelled 1998-12-09, S/N 15285376 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15285376
- Airframe hours: 7816
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Fort Myers Airways
- Registered owner: Alternate Flying Club Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 7, 1997, 450 hours before
- Departed: FMY, FORT MYERS, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 24 total, 24 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 79 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 5 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 19970801020569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970801020569A), Aug 1, 1997: Cessna 152, Cape Coral, FL, Destroyed. Lost power enroute. Crash landed. No engine defects noted. (-23) engine was sent for analysis - suspect engine problem.

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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