Cessna 172K accident near Milan, Illinois, January 26, 2014
On January 26, 2014 at about 11:17 pm local time, a Cessna 172K, registered N4VN, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Milan, Illinois (Quad City International Airpor airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s delayed use of carburetor heat while operating the airplane in atmospheric conditions conducive to carburetor icing, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing during a short final approach.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 26, 2014 · about 11:17 pm local time
- Place
- Milan, Illinois · Quad City International Airpor · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172K · all 172Ks on the register
- Registration
- N4VN · no longer on the register · serial 17258242
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power when he applied carburetor heat during a 1-mile final approach to the destination airport. The pilot then performed a forced landing to a field. Although the pilot stated that the engine rpm decreased when he actuated the carburetor heat during the preflight run-up, postaccident examinations revealed no mechanical anomalies with the carburetor or its heat system that would have precluded normal operation. Atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the accumulation of carburetor icing at glide and cruise power. It is likely that the pilot's delayed use of carburetor heat resulted in a total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.
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
- Other weather encounter during approach
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel control/carburetor › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instructor: powered-lift; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 16,180 hours in all; 663 in this make and model; 16,180 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 23, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,571 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 25, 2013; 98 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1A L-14253-36A (piston); 4,556 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DVN Davenport IA at 10:15 pm
- Destination: MLI Milan IL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 7,301 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 13 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,600 ft; clear
- Temperature: 30°F (-1°C), dew point 23°F (-5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.51 inHg
- Observation at 10:52 pm from MLI, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.