# NTSB NYC91LA009: Cessna 172N, N2233E, Dayton, OH, October 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1990, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Dayton, OH
- Coordinates: 39.870357, -84.189201 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8704&lon=-84.1892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36822
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36822/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA009

## Probable cause

A CARBURETOR FIRE DUE TO AN ENGINE BACKFIRE. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTION TAKEN BY THE PILOT TO EXTINGUISH THE ENGINE FIRE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, taxi
  - fuel system,carburetor - fire (cause)
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Fire, taxi

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE RAN ROUGH DURING PRE-TAKEOFF RUNUP. WHILE TAXIING BACK TO HAVE THE AIRPLANE EXAMINED, THE ENGINE BACKFIRED AND QUIT. THE PILOT NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES AROUND THE COWLING SO HE SHUT OFF THE MAGNETOES, MASTER SWITCH, AND FUEL. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND STATED THAT, 'A CARBURETOR FIRE CAUSED BY AN ENGINE BACKFIRE RESULTED IN A DESTROYED AIRCRAFT.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2233E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2233E-2012-08-30), registration cancelled 2012-08-30, S/N 17271196, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271196
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mound Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 1990, 50 hours before
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: MGY, Dayton General South

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 251 total, 11 in this make and model, 251 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °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 19901011045139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901011045139A), Oct 11, 1990: Cessna 172N, Dayton, OH, Destroyed. Rough engine on runup. Taxied back. Engine backfired and quit. Carburetor fire erupted. Did not attempt restart.

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.