Aviation Crash Map

Cessna 172N N3392E

12 July 2000 · Columbus, Texas, United States · Minor injuries

Summary

On 12 July 2000 at about 22:40 local time, a Cessna 172N registered N3392E, operated by Lionel C. Moore, was involved in an accident near Columbus, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 22:40
Classification
Accident
Location
Columbus, Texas, United States
Coordinates
29.7006, -96.5493
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Registration
N3392E
Category
Airplane
Engines
1
Operator
Lionel C. Moore
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Personal
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Palacios → Robinson
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
FTW00LA207

People

1 person had minor injuries.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
1 0 0 1 0

Probable cause

the failure of both magnetos of the dual-magneto single-drive unit. A factor contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Prior to takeoff, an initial check of the magnetos showed the right magneto had a drop of 300-500 rpm. The pilot rechecked the magnetos several times before and after takeoff and both magnetos checked 'normal.' After several minutes at cruise altitude, a drop in engine rpm was noted. A magneto check revealed a 'dead right magneto.' The pilot elected to change course to the closest airport with maintenance facilities. 'Soon thereafter, all power was lost,' and the pilot could not restart the engine. During the forced landing, 'the airplane hit the ground 30-60 feet from the first contact with the trees' and skidded another 25-50 feet before coming to rest on its nose. An engine test run was attempted; the engine would not start. The single-drive dual-magneto was removed from the engine, and a bench test revealed that no spark was being produced from either magneto. An examination of the magnetos revealed that the neoprene cam followers on both sets of points had melted and smeared, which kept the points from opening.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Cessna 172 accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
3 Jul 2000 Cessna 172H
N8805Z
Kutztown, Pennsylvania, United States - No injuries -
9 Dec 2000 Cessna 172M
N80854
Mount Sterling, Kentucky, United States Kentucky Airmotive Minor injuries -
16 Feb 2000 Cessna 172N
N6479D
Palm Springs, California, United States Bermuda Dunes Air Service Minor injuries -
18 Apr 2000 Cessna 172R
N975BC
Battle Creek, Michigan, United States - No injuries -
8 Jul 2000 Cessna 172
N1897V
Chandler, Arizona, United States Sunbird Flight Services No injuries -
4 Nov 2000 Cessna 172P
N54729
Inverness, Florida, United States - No injuries -

All 12,209 records for this type

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
8 Jul 2000 Schweizer G-164B
N3629T
Moscow, Texas, United States Paynes Flying Service, Inc. Serious injuries -
30 May 2000 Air Tractor AT-301
N8594S
Garwood, Texas, United States Michael Thompson Minor injuries -
19 Apr 2000 Mooney M20F
N7038V
Tomball, Texas, United States - Minor injuries -
12 Apr 2000 Piper PA-32R-301
N789CA
Rocksprings, Texas, United States Ivan B. Greenhut No injuries -
16 Sep 2000 Cessna 185F
N34NC
Burnet, Texas, United States - Minor injuries -
26 Feb 2000 Piper PA-18
N8967C
New Ulm, Texas, United States Leonard F. Firth Minor injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States