Accident Details
On February 26, 2021, at about 1445 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N (registration N5631E) was substantially damaged when it struck a gate post during a forced landing near Boynton Beach, Florida. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight.
Flight Sequence
About 10 minutes after departure, the student pilot was practicing ground reference maneuvers at 1,000 ft when the instructor noticed the airplane had descended approximately 100 ft. The instructor advised the student to climb back to altitude, but the airplane did not respond to control inputs. The instructor assumed control and performed remedial actions to restore engine power, which were unsuccessful. He then selected a dirt road bisecting cultivated fields for a forced landing.
Post-Landing Damage
After landing, the airplane’s right wing, right main landing gear, and right wing strut impacted a gate post along the road. The impact separated the landing gear and strut, collapsed the wing at its root, and rotated the airplane 180 degrees before it came to rest on its right side.
Examination Findings
The airplane was recovered and examined by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector. The examination found no preimpact mechanical anomalies. A fuel can was plumbed into the fuel system because the wings had been removed during recovery. The engine started immediately, accelerated smoothly, and ran continuously. A magneto check was satisfactory, and the carburetor heat system operated as designed with no anomalies or blockages.
Atmospheric Conditions
According to the New Carburetor Icing-Probability chart published by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and cited in the FAA report, atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to "serious icing at descent power." Additionally, review of the icing probability chart from FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 indicated that conditions were "conducive to serious icing at glide power."
Maintenance History
The airplane’s most recent 100-hour inspection was completed on February 13, 2021, at 15,942 total aircraft hours.