# NTSB MIA99LA144: Cessna 172H, N5105G, Sylvan Springs, AL, May 1, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 1, 1999, 09:20 local (14:20 UTC) - Place: Sylvan Springs, AL - Coordinates: 33.539035, -86.970344 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5390&lon=-86.9703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 7, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46231 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46231/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA144 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - fence ## Analysis The pilot stated that he preflighted the airplane before departure with no discrepancies noted. He departed with full fuel tanks and flew to a nearby area where he orbited several times. He flew to another area then returned to the area where he orbited the first time. He later stated that he applied carburetor heat, reduced the throttle, then after seeing the area again, applied the throttle and removed carburetor heat. The engine did not respond. He only verified that the mixture control was full rich, that the magneto switch was in the 'both' position, and pumped the throttle which increased engine rpm slightly. He maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing and just before touchdown, he placed the mixture control in the idle-cutoff position and the magneto switch to the off position. After touchdown, the airplane rolled through a fence then nosed over. The airplane was recovered and using some of the fuel that was in the airplane at the time of the accident, the engine was started and found to operate normally. Review of the icing probability chart revealed that the conditions were favorable for moderate icing at cruise power or serious icing at descent power. ## Factual narrative On May 1, 1999, about 0920 central daylight time, a Cessna 172H, N5105G, registered to a private individual, nosed over after a forced landing in a field near Sylvan Springs, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated at 0905, from the Bessemer Airport, Bessemer, Alabama. The pilot stated that before takeoff, he preflighted the airplane with no discrepancies noted. The flight departed with full fuel tanks and after takeoff, he flew to the area of his mother-in-law's house, circled the area, flew to another area, and returned to the area of his in-law's house. He applied carburetor heat, reduced the throttle, for one last look, then pushed the throttle and carburetor heat controls; there was no response from the engine. He pulled the throttle control then pushed it again but there was no response from the engine. He later stated that he thought the engine was at idle rpm. He then verified that the magneto switch was in the "both" position, but did not move it, and verified that the mixture control was in the ""full rich" position, which had not been changed since takeoff. He then pumped the throttle control and the primer control, and the engine responded momentarily with each application, but not enough to maintain altitude. He began flying toward a field he noted and just before touchdown, he pulled the mixture control to the idle cut-off position, and placed the magneto switch to the "off" position. After touchdown, the airplane traveled through a barb wire fence then nosed over. He noted after exiting the airplane that fuel was leaking from the fuel tank vent line. The airplane was examination at the accident site by an FAA inspector who noted fuel leakage from both fuel tanks which contained automotive fuel. The airplane was recovered and a serviceable propeller was installed for the attempted engine run. Additionally, following the accident, the fuel tanks were drained but the drained fuel was added for the engine run. The engine was started, operated at idle for 5 minutes, then operated to 1,700 rpm where magneto check was performed. The left and right magneto drop was 60 and 50 rpm, respectively. Also, carburetor heat was applied and the engine rpm decreased 125 rpm. The throttle was increased full forward for about 15 seconds and the engine rpm increased to 2,300 rpm. The engine was then secured. Review of the carburetor icing probability chart revealed the conditions were favorable for moderate icing at cruise power or serious icing at descent power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5105G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5105G-2000-11-16), registration cancelled 2000-11-16, S/N 17256222 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172H - Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17256222 - Airframe hours: 4672 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert C. Young - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1999, 16 hours before - Departed: EKY, BESSEMER, AL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 25 total, 24 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BHM ## 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 19990501004379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990501004379A), May 1, 1999: Cessna 172H, Sylan Springs, AL, Substantial damage. Acft lost power, attempted to land in a field, struck power lines, and flipped over, other circumstances are unknown. (-23) Mr. Clements, a student pilot, took… ## Other investigations on N5105G (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 ATL85LA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA108), Mar 6, 1985: Cessna 172H (N5105G), Bessemer, AL, substantial damage 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.