# NTSB SEA91LA112: Cessna 172P, N172GA, Alva, WY, May 21, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1991, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Alva, WY
- Coordinates: 44.700763, -104.4505 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7008&lon=-104.4505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41435
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41435/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA112

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS PERSONAL ABILITY, OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE AIRCRAFT'S ABILITY. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ENGINE FAILURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, go-around (vfr)
  - powerplant - undetermined (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE CESSNA 172 STATED THAT HE WAS PRACTICING SIMULATED FORCED LANDINGS WHEN HE ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND.  HE SAID THAT THE ENGINE FAILED TO RECOVER POWER WHEN HE OPENED THE THROTTLE.  HE SAID THAT HE DECIDED TO LAND IN A PASTURE INSTEAD OF ON A ROAD.  THE ENGINE RAN AND ACCELERATED NORMALLY WHEN IT WAS TESTED BY FAA INSPECTORS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N172GA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N172GA-1992-06-19), registration cancelled 1992-06-19, S/N 17275416 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275416
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gillette Air Inc
- Registered owner: Gillette Air Inc
- Departed: GGC, GILLETTE, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 63 total, 48 in this make and model, 25 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 3 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19910521016739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910521016739A), May 21, 1991: Cessna 172P, Alva, WY, Substantial damage. Engine failed to respond on practice forced landing approach. Collapsed nose gear landing. No engine defects found.

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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