Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172I near Olivet, MI — 2022-08-28

Final reportCEN22LA398
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Date
2022-08-28
Location
Olivet, MI, USA
Airport
PVT
Aircraft
CESSNA 172I
Registration
N46202
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to attain/maintain a proper glidepath that resulted in a hard landing and impact with the runway.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot was on a visual final for a low approach when he applied engine power to stabilize the descent. The engine did not respond, and the airplane continued to descend and landed hard on the runway. The airplane then nosed over and sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the left and right wing fuel tanks contained useable fuel. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The student pilot stated that the engine did not respond, but it is likely that the student pilot delayed the application of engine power and when he applied engine power, it exceeded the response capability of the airplane/engine that he perceived as delayed. The student pilot also reported that he’d applied carburetor heat for about 10 seconds when he was about one mile from the runway. There was no engine roughness during the application. He then turned it off. An accident report form was not received from the student pilot. Weather conditions were conducive for serious carburetor icing at glide power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have maintained carburetor heat longer to prevent icing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents9

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