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Student Pilot's Engine Quits During Solo Cross-Country, Forced Landing Results in Nose-Over (N739EC)

Meadville, PA, US

On April 27, 1991, a Cessna 172 (registration N739EC) operated by Baron Aviation Inc was involved in an aviation accident near Meadville, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND THE SUBSEQUENT EMERGENCY FORCED LANDING IN ROUGH TERRAIN. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF EXPERIENCE OF THE STUDENT PILOT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

During a solo cross-country flight, a student pilot experienced engine failure at 2,000 feet. After temporary restart, engine quit again. Forced landing ended with nose digging into mud, flipping aircraft. FAA post-accident inspection found no defects; conditions favored carburetor icing.

Engine Failure During Climb

A student pilot flying a solo cross-country flight experienced an engine failure while climbing through 2,000 feet. The pilot reported, "I did the emergency procedures and it started again, but it quit very quickly. I picked a field to land. It was OK, until the nose hit some mud and flipped me over."

Post-Accident Inspection

An examination of the engine by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed no defects. According to the FAA report, "The engine run up showed no abnormal readings...Both carburetor and fuel screens were...free of contaminants...The carburetor heat, mixture control and throttle control were inspected: no defects were noted."

Weather Conditions

The local temperature at the time of the accident was reported as 70°F, with a dew point of 51°F. When plotted on the FAA chart "Conditions Favoring Carb Icing," the result shows Area Number 2, indicating serious icing at cruise power.

Engine failure

Related events

Same aircraft family

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 27 Apr 1991 Cessna 172 accident near Meadville, PA?

During a solo cross-country flight, a student pilot experienced engine failure at 2,000 feet. After temporary restart, engine quit again. Forced landing ended with nose digging into mud, flipping aircraft. FAA post-accident inspection found no defects; conditions favored carburetor icing.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 27 Apr 1991 involved a Cessna 172, registration N739EC, operated by Baron Aviation Inc, at Meadville, PA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND THE SUBSEQUENT EMERGENCY FORCED LANDING IN ROUGH TERRAIN. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF EXPERIENCE OF THE STUDENT PILOT.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X16875. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.