# NTSB MIA98TA011: Cessna 172P, N945SM, Wiggins, MS, October 12, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report - Date: October 12, 1997, 12:05 local (17:05 UTC) - Place: Wiggins, MS - Coordinates: 30.860397, -89.130256 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8604&lon=-89.1303&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38552 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98TA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38552/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98TA011 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons resulting in a forced landing on unsuitable terrain and the aircraft nosing over during landing roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable ## Analysis While climbing through 300 feet after takeoff the engine quit. While making a forced landing in a field the aircraft nosed over. Post crash examination showed the aircraft contained uncontaminated fuel and all fuel lines were unobstructed. The engine was started and operated with no evidence of failure or malfunction. Disassembly of the carburetor after engine run showed no evidence of failure or malfunction. The aircraft was not operating in conditions conducive to carburetor icing at rated power. ## Factual narrative On October 12, 1997, about 1205 central daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N945SM, registered to the Mississippi Forestry Commission, nosed over while making a forced landing in a field following loss of engine power at Wiggins, Mississippi, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 public use flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that after takeoff, while climbing through 300 feet, the engine quit. He was able to restore partial power by pumping the engine throttle. He was unable to return to the airport and the aircraft nosed over while making a forced landing in a plowed field. Postcrash examination of the aircraft and engine was performed by an FAA inspector. The aircraft and engine was found to contain uncontaminated fuel and all fuel lines were unobstructed. Each engine control was still connected and operated properly. After the aircraft was recovered from the field, the engine was started and operated to 2,000 rpm with no evidence of failure or malfunction. The engine was not operated to full power due to a bent propeller. After the engine run, the carburetor was removed and disassembled. No evidence to indicated mechanical failure or malfunction was found in the carburetor. (See FAA Inspector Statement). Carburetor icing probability curves showed the aircraft was not operating in conditions conducive to carburetor icing at rated power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N945SM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N945SM), registered now, S/N 17274742, 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: 17274742 - Airframe hours: 4263 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mississippi Forestry Comm. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 10, 1997, 7 hours before - Departed: MS06 - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: MS06, Dean Griffin Memorial, runway 17, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,625 total, 485 in this make and model, 3,505 as pilot in command, 108 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 12 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GPT, 30 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 19971012031289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971012031289A), Oct 12, 1997: Cessna 172P, Wiggins, MS, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Nosed over in plowed field. Carb icing ruled out. (-23) after lift-off the engine quit about 300 feet in the air. Pilot landed in… 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.