FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Engine Power Loss During Training Leads to Collision with Street Sign (N5048E)

Lyons, CO, US

On April 24, 2004, a Cessna 172N (registration N5048E) was involved in an aviation accident near Lyons, CO. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing factors were weather conditions conducive to carburetor icing and unsuitable terrain available on which to make a forced landing and the road sign. 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 an engine failure practice session, a training aircraft lost power and struck a street sign during landing roll. Post-accident engine checks found no anomalies; weather conditions were conducive to carburetor icing.

Incident Details

During a training exercise simulating engine failure, the flight instructor and student were utilizing carburetor heat as part of the procedure when the engine experienced a loss of power. The aircraft subsequently made a landing roll, during which it struck a street sign. This impact caused substantial damage to the airplane.

Post-accident Inspection

An Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic conducted an engine run on April 24, 2004. The engine started without any hesitation. Subsequent checks of the carburetor heat system and magnetos showed no anomalies. Additionally, the fuel tanks were noted to be approximately half full.

Meteorological Conditions

At the time of the incident, the temperature was 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and the dewpoint was 33 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the Carburetor Icing Chart, such temperature and dewpoint combinations are favorable for serious icing at cruise power settings.

Engine failureIcing

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Cessna 172 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 24 Apr 2004 Cessna 172N accident near Lyons, CO?

During an engine failure practice session, a training aircraft lost power and struck a street sign during landing roll. Post-accident engine checks found no anomalies; weather conditions were conducive to carburetor icing.

Were there any fatalities in the 24 Apr 2004 Cessna 172N accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 24 Apr 2004 involved a Cessna 172N, registration N5048E, at Lyons, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing factors were weather conditions conducive to carburetor icing and unsuitable terrain available on which to make a forced landing and the road sign.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20040524X00635. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.