Cessna 172 accident near Yankeetown, Florida, April 20, 2017
On April 20, 2017, a 1978 Cessna 172, registered N6013E, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Yankeetown, Florida. 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
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures 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
- April 20, 2017
- Place
- Yankeetown, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 N, built 1978 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N6013E · no longer on the register · serial 17271983
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot reported that the engine run-up and takeoff were normal for the personal flight. About 15 minutes after takeoff, while in cruise flight, the engine experienced a total loss of power, and the pilot subsequently declared an emergency. He attempted to restart the engine four times before ditching the airplane in water. The pilot and passenger then egressed without injury. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Although water was noted in the carburetor and fuel strainer, it could not be determined if the water entered the fuel system before the accident or when the airplane became submerged in water. Although weather conditions were conducive to the accumulation of serious icing at glide power, the investigation could not conclusively determine whether carburetor ice played a role in the loss of engine power.
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
- Attempted remediation/recovery during enroute (cruise)
- Ditching during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 120 hours in all; 117 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 70 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 2, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,961.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 27, 2016; 44 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,299 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-H2AD (piston); 7,378 hours total
- Operator: How INC
The flight
- Departed from: CDK Cedar Key FL
- Destination: SFB Orlando FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 100° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on December 11, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Investigative Photograph | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum of Record - Engine Examination | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Log Excerpts | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Carburetor Icing Chart | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N6013E the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.