Cessna 172 accident near Ironton, Ohio, May 28, 2011
On May 28, 2011 at about 11:15 pm local time, a Cessna 172, registered N5663R, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Ironton, Ohio. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 28, 2011 · about 11:15 pm local time
- Place
- Ironton, Ohio · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 F · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N5663R · no longer on the register · serial 17253296
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot said that the airplane experienced a gradual loss of engine power during cruise flight followed by a total loss of engine power and a loss of electrical power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field. Examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. According to carburetor icing charts, a probability of serious icing at glide power existed based upon the temperature and dew point at the time of the accident; however, the airplane was operating at a higher power setting, for which the probability of carburetor icing was minimal.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during emergency descent
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 106 hours in all; 5 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 77 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 26, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,520 hours in all; 640 in this make and model; 45 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 1,500 as pilot in command; 455 on instruments
- Last flight review: January 30, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,653 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 27, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O300 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DWU Worthington KY at 10:15 pm
- Destination: DWU Worthington KY
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 10:51 pm from HTS, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.