# NTSB NYC84FA104: Cessna 172Q, N96286, Meadville, PA, March 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1984, 14:02 local (19:02 UTC)
- Place: Meadville, PA
- Coordinates: 41.639331, -80.139236 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6393&lon=-80.1392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35321
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35321/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA104

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel system,ram air/induction air - blocked(total) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - level off - not attained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - terrain condition - open field
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLTS WERE BRIEFED ON SNOWSTORM ADVANCING TOWARD DESTINATION, DEPARTED IN HOPE OF ARRIVING AHEAD OF WX. ENCOUNTING IMC CONDITIONS (SNOW) ENROUTE, PLT FILED IFR AND CONTINUED. COMMUNICATIONS TRANSCRIPT INDICATES THAT WHEN ENG BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, PLT USED CARB HEAT TO REMEDY, ALTHOUGH CONDITIONS NOT CONDUCIVE TO CARB ICE. POWER WAS REGAINED. THEN LOST TOTALLY, PARTIALLY REGAINED, THEN LOST FINALLY AND TOTALLY DURING EMERGENCY DESCENT. INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT DURING APPARENT LANDING ATTEMPT IN OPEN FIELD IN SNOWSTORM, RIGHT WINGTOP MADE INITIAL IMPACT WITH TERRAIN AND ACFT CARTWHEELED TO A STOP, SUSTAINING OTHER DAMAGE. COCKPIT SHOWED RIGHT-TO-LEFT OCCUPANT CONTACT WITH INSTRUMENT PANEL. ENG INDUCTION AIR FILTER WAS FOUND TO BE TOTALLY BLOCKED WITH IMPACTED SNOW. IMPACTED SNOW AND ICE FOUND BETWEEN COLLING FINS OF #1 AND #2 CYLINDERS AND CARB HEAT INTAKE, AS WELL AS AROUND STARTER, ALTERNATOR, BELTS AND OTHER ENG FWD EEXTERIOR SURFACES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N96286 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172Q
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17276051
- Airframe hours: 65
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4N 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dave Harmon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 5B5, BENNINGTON, VT
- Destination: YNG, YOUNGSTOWN, OH
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,476 total, 279 in this make and model, 4,242 as pilot in command, 207 in the last 90 days, 82 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 12 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 13 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FKL, 22 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 19840308076189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840308076189A), Mar 8, 1984: Cessna 172Q, Meadville, PA, Destroyed. Slowly lost all engine power in IMC. Impacted in field near airport. Ice in carb heat inlet and air intake filter.

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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