Cessna 172P N52186

Summary

On 20 July 2003 at about 14:45 local time, a Cessna 172P registered N52186, operated by Delta Connection Academy, was involved in an accident near Plymouth, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 July 2003 at 14:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Plymouth, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Orlando Country (X04)

Coordinates

28.7069, -81.5817

Aircraft

Cessna 172P

Registration

N52186

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Delta Connection Academy

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Orlando → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA03LA143

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's continue operation with known deficiencies (engine vibration) resulting in a partial loss of engine power during climb after takeoff and overrun of the runway during the aborted takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated that during the initial climbout from Sanford he noticed a slight, brief engine vibration however the gauges were within normal limits and continue with the flight. While performing touch-and-go landings at Orlando Country Airport, the student reported to him that the airplane was not performing/climbing normally on upwind. According to the CFI during takeoff following a touch-and-go demonstration to the student, while in ground effect, the engine "sputtered" and he was unable to establish a positive climb rate. He initiated precautionary landing with one-third of the runway remaining. He states he then applied the brakes until the airplane departed the departure end of the runway impacting a ditch. The CFI and the student pilot stated, in similar initial on-scene written statements to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, that the takeoff "did not go as planned" and that they needed to collect their thoughts before giving a statement to the FAA. A witness to the accident stated hearing the accident airplane power up and power down before the sound of brakes locking up. An examination of the engine revealed the number one cylinder's spark plugs were fouled with lead and oil. The nearest reported winds to the accident site were from 310 degrees at 5 knots at the Orlando Executive Airport, Orlando, Florida. At the time of the accident, the pilots were conducting touch-and-go landings on runway 15, published runway length of 2,675 feet in length by 120 feet in width.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.