# NTSB MIA98LA164: Cessna 172P, N63012, Fort Myers, FL, May 16, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 16, 1998, 14:18 local (18:18 UTC) - Place: Fort Myers, FL - Location: 26.6406° N, 81.8723° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Myers, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6406&lon=-81.8723&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38521 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA164 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38521/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA164 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate inflight decision and her selection of unsuitable terrain to conduct a precautionary landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - comm/nav equipment - previous damage - comm/nav equipment - failure - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - rough/uneven - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The private pilot encountered problems with the aircraft's radios while on a cross country flight, and was unable to continue communications. After passing the airport to which she was previously vectored to by ATC, she elected to perform a precautionary landing in a field adjacent to an airstrip. During the flare, she realized that the field was rippled, but continued the landing. During the landing roll, she applied brakes and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the electrical system by an FAA inspector revealed a loose terminal at the toggle switch connection of the avionics buss. Prior to the accident, another pilot had noted that the avionics switch did not activate the radios, and the switch had to be manipulated several times before power was applied to the radios. According to the maintenance personnel, the switch was turned on and the problem was not duplicated. No other maintenance was performed. ## Factual narrative On May 16, 1998, about 1418 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, registered to American Flyers Schools, Inc., nosed over during a landing in a field near Fort Myers, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated about 1318, from the Pompano Beach Airpark, Pompano Beach, Florida. The pilot stated that while in contact with Fort Myers Approach Control, the aircraft's radios began to malfunction. She advised the controller of this and was provided a vector to the La Belle Municipal Airport. She recognized that she had flown past the airport and elected to land in a field adjacent to an airstrip. After touchdown during the landing roll, she applied the brakes and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the airplane by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed a loose electrical connection at the avionics master switch. According to the pilot, another pilot had noted that the avionics master switch would not activate the radios. According to flight school personnel, the avionics switch was turned on and the problem was not duplicated. No further test or examination was accomplished. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N63012](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63012-2018-01-12), registration cancelled 2018-01-12, S/N 17275372, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17275372 - Airframe hours: 7195 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: American Flyers - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 24, 1998, 67 hours before - Departed: PMP, POMPANO BEACH, FL - Destination: SRQ, SARASOTA, FL - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 79 total, 21 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RSW ## 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 19980516009719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980516009719A), May 16, 1998: Cessna 172P, La Belle, FL, Substantial damage. Radio problems enroute. Vecotred to X14. Over flew same. Nosed over landing near X14. Loose avionics master switch. ## Other investigations on N63012 (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 MIA93LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA118), May 8, 1993: Cessna 172P (N63012), Mims, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO LEAN THE FUEL/AIR MIXTURE DURING CRUISE FLIGHT WHICH INCREASED THE FUEL CONSUMPTION FOR… 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.