Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172 near Boynton Beach, FL — 2021-02-26

Final reportERA21LA144
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Date
2021-02-26
Location
Boynton Beach, FL, USA
Airport
LNA
Aircraft
CESSNA 172
Registration
N5631E
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot was performing ground reference maneuvers at 1,000 ft when the flight instructor noticed that the airplane had descended “about 100 ft.” He advised the student pilot to climb the airplane back to the desired altitude, but the airplane did not respond to the student’s control inputs. The instructor took control of the airplane and his remedial actions failed to restore engine power, so he performed a forced landing to a dirt road between cultivated fields, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. A detailed examination of the airplane and a successful postaccident engine run failed to reveal any preimpact mechanical anomalies. Although atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious icing at glide power, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Instructor could have aborted the maneuver earlier to avoid power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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