Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172D near Belhaven, NC — 2011-12-04

Final reportERA12LA101
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Date
2011-12-04
Location
Belhaven, NC, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 172D
Registration
N2344U
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was maneuvering the airplane over a marshy area about 700 feet above ground level. The airplane was in a left turn when the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot continued the left turn and made a forced landing, during which the airplane struck a small tree, the nose landing gear separated, and the airplane rotated about 180 degrees. Postaccident examination of the engine assembly revealed no malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Review of the local weather conditions and the Federal Aviation Administration’s carburetor icing probability chart indicated that conditions were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide, but not at cruise, power settings. It was not possible to determine what engine power settings the pilot used during the accident flight maneuvers.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Performing maintenance on the aircraft before the flight could have prevented the accident.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 10 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents10

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