Cessna 172M N70080

Summary

On 12 October 1995 at about 15:51 local time, a Cessna 172M registered N70080, operated by Leggett, L. H., was involved in an accident near Norwich, Vermont, United States. 3 people were on board and 2 died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 October 1995 at 15:51

Classification

Accident

Location

Norwich, Vermont, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Cessna 172M

Registration

N70080

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Leggett, L. H.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lebanon → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

BFO96FA007

2 people died.

loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s), during a low altitude operation. A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The surviving rear seat passenger/photographer (pax) stated that during a preflight briefing, the pilot indicated that they would fly by a cottage at reduced airspeed and at about 500 feet agl, then they would climb to a higher altitude for more photographs. The pax stated that after they flew by the cottage, he did not hear an application of power to climb as expected. The pax noted their low altitude over the mountainous/hilly terrain, and 'yelled' for the pilot to climb to avoid trees. The pax said the pilot did not respond, but was leaning forward as if to be trying to read or reach something. The airplane impacted trees and fell to the ground. Witnesses on the ground stated that an airplane flew overhead at a low altitude. One witness stated the engine sounded as if it was sputtering; another stated that it was noisy and loud for a small airplane. Postaccident examination revealed no preimpact mechanical anomaly; chordwise scrape marks were found on the propeller blades. The temperature and dew point were 72 and 47 degrees F, respectively. According to icing probability charts, weather conditions were conducive for the formation of carburetor ice. The carburetor heat control was found in the 'in' position, but the engine had become detached during impact, possibly moving the carburetor heat control as it separated from the firewall.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.