Event MIA03LA179

Factual narrative

On September 9, 2003, about 0905 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N5172B, owned and operated by Orlando Flight Training Inc., lost engine power and impacted with trees during a forced landing, at the Kissimmee Airport, Kissimmee, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The local instructional flight was conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane incurred substantial damage and the student pilot reported minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time. The student pilot stated, after taking off, and at an altitude of about 200 to 300 feet mean sea level, the engine lost power. The pilot made a 180-degree turn back to the airport, but was unable to reach the runway, and impacted with trees on the northwest corner of the airport. The FAA inspector who responded to the accident stated that several discrepancies were found during the postaccident examination of the engine. The shielding was separated on five of the eight ignition leads, the No. 2 cylinder ignition lead was misfiring into the shielding, and there was excessive play in the carburetor throttle shaft. The contacts on the distributor blocks of both magnetos were burned and worn, and the fuel screen was very dirty. The student pilot stated, after taking off, and at an altitude of about 200 to 300 feet mean sea level, the engine lost power. The pilot made a 180-degree turn back to the airport, but was unable to reach the runway, and impacted with trees on the northwest corner of the airport. The FAA inspector who responded to the accident stated that several discrepancies were found during the postaccident examination of the engine. The shielding was separated on five of the eight ignition leads, the No. 2 cylinder ignition lead was misfiring into the shielding, and there was excessive play in the carburetor throttle shaft. The contacts on the distributor blocks of both magnetos were burned and worn, and the fuel screen was very dirty. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12