Event NYC01LA188

Factual narrative

On July 25, 2001, about 1945 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N52266, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from the Tipton Airport (FME), Odenton, Maryland. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the CFI, the flight originated at the Freeway Airport (W00), Mitchellville, Maryland, about 1830. Prior to takeoff, during the engine run-up, the CFI experienced rough engine operation during the magneto check; however, after the mixture was leaned, he did not experience any further problems. After takeoff, the student pilot performed some ground reference maneuvers, and they then proceeded to Tipton to practice landings and takeoffs. They performed a full stop landing about 1935, and then completed the after landing and pre-takeoff checklists. During the subsequent takeoff from runway 28 at Tipton, when the airplane was about 200 feet above the ground, the engine experienced a partial loss of engine power. The application of carburetor heat did not have an effect on the engine's performance and the CFI was not able to maintain altitude. The CFI then performed a forced landing to a grassy area northwest of the runway; however, the airplane struck trees and a fence. Examination of the airplane and engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector did not reveal any pre-impact failures. Fuel consistent with aviation gasoline was observed throughout the airplane's fuel system, and no evidence of contamination was noted. Additionally, the engine was started and ran uneventfully; however, due to damaged engine mounts, the rpm was not increased above 1,300. The temperature and dew point reported at an airport about 8 miles northeast of Tipton, at 1954, was 86 and 70 degrees F, respectively. A review of a FAA carburetor icing probability chart placed the reported temperature and dew point in the "serious icing at glide power" area of the chart. During takeoff, when the airplane was about 200 feet above the ground, the engine experienced a partial loss of engine power and the pilot was not able to maintain altitude. The pilot performed a forced landing to a grass area northwest of the runway; however the airplane struck trees and a fence. Examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any pre-impact failures. Fuel consistent with aviation gasoline was observed throughout the airplane's fuel system, and no evidence of contamination was noted. Additionally, the engine was started and ran uneventfully; however, due to damaged engine mounts, the rpm was not increased above 1,300. The temperature and dew point reported at a nearby airport, was 86 and 70 degrees F, respectively. A review of a carburetor icing probability chart, placed the reported temperature and dew point in the "serious icing at glide power" area of the chart; however, the pilot reported that the application carburetor heat after the partial loss of engine power did not effect the engine's performance. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12