# NTSB NYC86FA138: Cessna 172M, N13650, Cairo, NY, May 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1986, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Cairo, NY
- Coordinates: 42.299983, -73.999229 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3000&lon=-73.9992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30190
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30190/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA138

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - other (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES SAW BLACK SMOKE TRAILING THE ACFT SHORTLY AFTER IT BECAME AIRBORNE ABOUT 50 FT ABOVE THE RWY. SHORTLY AFTERWARD, A LOSS OF POWER LOSS OCCURRED. THE ACFT DESCENDED AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE RWY IS 2,700 FT LONG AND SURROUNDED BY TREES. THE ACFT CAME TO REST TO THE LEFT OF AND NEAR THE END OF RWY 14. EXAM OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED THAT A PIECE OF THE MOUNTING GASKET FOR THE CARB AIR FILTER, A NON-CESSNA FOUR PIECE PART, WAS LODGED IN THE VENTURI SECTION OF THE CARBURETOR. ALSO REVEALED WAS THAT THE CARBURETOR FLOAT WAS NOT BUOYANT AND RESULTED IN ENGINE FUEL FLOODING. THE ACFT WAS USING AUTOMOTIVE FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13650](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13650-2013-04-11), registration cancelled 2013-04-11, S/N 17262910, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17262910
- Airframe hours: 802
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Al Leis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 1985, 6 hours before
- Departed: NY04, CAIRO, NY
- Airport: NY04, Sport Haven, runway 14, 2,700 × 85 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,050 total, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALB, 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 19860526019379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860526019379A), May 26, 1986: Cessna STC172, Cairo, NY, Destroyed, 3 fatal. The engine failed on takeoff. The aircraft stalled attempting return to field. Air filter gasket lodged in carb.

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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