Saturday, December 05, 2020

Loss of Engine Power (Total): Cessna 172F, N5406R; Accident occurred December 18, 2019 at Cincinnati West Airport (I67), Harrison, Hamilton County, Ohio




Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.


Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Cincinnati, Ohio

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

MMM Enterprises LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N5406R

Location: Harrison, OH
Accident Number: CEN20LA043
Date & Time: 12/18/2019, 1910 EST
Registration: N5406R
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

On December 18, 2019, about 1910 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172 airplane, N5406R, impacted trees and a fence during a forced landing following a loss of engine power at the Cincinnati West Airport (I67), Harrison, Ohio. The pilot and flight instructor were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the flight instructor as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated from I67 about 1730.

The flight instructor and pilot were conducting instrument training at the time of the accident. The pilot had initiated a missed approach following a practice instrument approach to runway 19 at I67. During the climb out, the flight instructor simulated an engine failure. The pilot responded by entering a power-off approach to runway 1 and applied the carburetor heat as part of his loss of engine power procedure. About 200 ft above ground level, the flight instructor advanced the throttle in order to clear the engine; however, the engine stopped producing power. The flight instructor took control of the airplane from the pilot at that time. The airplane struck trees during the approach before landing on the runway. After inspecting the airplane on the runway and observing no damage to the landing gear or propeller, the flight instructor started the engine and taxied to the hangar. The engine started without difficulty and appeared to run normally during the taxi.

An examination of the runway environment by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors indicated that the airplane struck trees and a 3-ft high wire fence about 400 ft short of the runway. Skid marks on a two-lane road running immediately adjacent to the fence were consistent with the airplane touching down momentarily before becoming airborne again. Additional skid marks on the paved stopway/overrun preceding the runway 1 displaced threshold were consistent with the airplane contacting the pavement at this point.

A postaccident engine examination conducted by the FAA inspectors did not reveal any anomalies consistent with an inability to produce rated power. Engine control continuity was confirmed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the outboard portion of the left wing.

The temperature and dew point recorded by the I67 Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) at 1915, were -5° Celsius and -10° Celsius, respectively. Information published by the FAA regarding carburetor icing indicated the possibility of icing at glide power existed under those conditions. Although, the temperature/dew point combination was on the cusp of the region for icing at glide power on the probability chart.

A review of an owner's manual applicable to the airplane revealed that there was not a specific emergency checklist for a loss of engine power. The descent (let-down) checklist noted, "Carburetor Heat – As required to prevent carburetor icing." The before landing checklist noted, "Carburetor Heat – Apply before closing throttle." 

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor
Age: 47, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/13/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/07/2019
Flight Time: 14898 hours (Total, all aircraft), 786 hours (Total, this make and model), 6019 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 47 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 19, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 11/11/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 06/03/2019
Flight Time:  147 hours (Total, all aircraft), 126 hours (Total, this make and model), 50 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 25 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N5406R
Model/Series: 172 F
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1965
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 17252945
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/25/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2299 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 35 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3186.8 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C91 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-300-D
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 145 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: I67, 584 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1915 EST
Direction from Accident Site: 360°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.37 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: -5°C / -10°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Harrison, OH (I67)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Harrison, OH (I67)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1730 EST
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Cincinnati West (I67)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 584 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 01
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2808 ft / 60 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing; Full Stop; Simulated Forced Landing

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 39.259167, -84.774444 (est)

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