Cessna 172 - F accident near Gainesville, Florida, October 5, 2013
On October 5, 2013 at about 8:00 pm local time, a 1965 Cessna 172 - F, registered N8715U, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Gainesville, Florida. It was a banner-towing 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
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident engine examination and test run revealed no anomalies.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 5, 2013 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Gainesville, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 - F F, built 1965 · all 172 - Fs on the register
- Registration
- N8715U · no longer on the register · serial 17252619
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Banner-towing flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, about 20 minutes into the banner tow flight, he noticed that the airplane had descended about 100 ft from its established altitude. He responded by increasing engine power and enriching the mixture while observing that the oil temperature gauge was indicating "hotter than normal." The airplane continued to descend, the oil temperature continued to rise into the red arc, and the engine subsequently experienced a total loss of power. The pilot released the banner and then unsuccessfully attempted to restart the engine. He then conducted a forced landing to a nearby field. The airplane impacted a parked vehicle, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. Postaccident engine examinations revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures, and a test run was conducted using the fuel onboard at the time of the accident with no anomalies observed.
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 maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Ground vehicle › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,513 hours in all; 1,402 in this make and model; 89 in the last 90 days; 48 in the last 30 days; 2,282 as pilot in command; 931 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 22, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,989 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 24, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 2,299 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 723 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GNV Gainesville FL at 7:40 pm
- Destination: GNV Gainesville FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from GNV, 5 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.