# NTSB NYC90LA037: Cessna 172G, N4289L, Uxbridge, MA, December 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 9, 1989, 13:55 local (18:55 UTC)
- Place: Uxbridge, MA
- Location: 42.0773° N, 71.6295° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Uxbridge, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0773&lon=-71.6295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36590
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36590/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA037

## Probable cause

ICE IN THE FUEL STRAINER, WHICH RESTRICTED FUEL FLOW & RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION, AND THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRPLANE, WHEN HE ABRUPTLY MANEUVERED IT TO AVOID A TRANSMISSION WIRE DURING A FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, go-around (vfr)
  - fuel system,strainer - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - ice (cause)
  - fuel system - water (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD FULL FUEL ON BOARD BEFORE TAKEOFF. HE HAD BEEN FLYING FOR APPROXIMATELY 35 MINUTES, WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN AN INDUSTRIAL PARK, BUT WAS HIGH. WHILE MANEUVERING, THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE PILOT BANKED STEEPLY TO THE  RIGHT TO AVOID A POWERLINE. THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND STRUCK THE GROUND. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED A LARGE PIECE OF ICE WAS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL STRAINER. THE ICE WAS OF SUFFICIENT SIZE TO BLOCK AT LEAST 50% OF THE FUEL FLOW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4289L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4289L-1990-10-23), registration cancelled 1990-10-23, S/N 17254358 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-54358
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles E. Michaud
- Departed: MA08, OXFORD, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 400 total, 330 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19891209049539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891209049539A), Dec 9, 1989: Cessna 172G, Uxbridge, MA, Destroyed. Engine quit on local flight. Stalled into swamp. Ice blocked fuel strainer prior takeoff.

## Other investigations on N4289L (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 CHI68D0733](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI68D0733), Apr 29, 1968: Cessna 172 (N4289L), Ottawa, IL, 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.

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