Cessna R172E accident near River Ranch, Florida, February 1, 2002
On February 1, 2002 at about 6:24 pm local time, a Cessna R172E, registered N7878N, was substantially damaged in an accident near River Ranch, Florida. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The reported loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons. Contributing factors in the accident were an improper flap setting, excessive landing speed, and terrain consisting of berms.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 1, 2002 · about 6:24 pm local time
- Place
- River Ranch, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna R172E · all R172Es on the register
- Registration
- N7878N · no longer on the register · serial R172-0269
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight departed and proceeded uneventfully to the La Belle Municipal Airport where an uneventful landing was performed. The flight departed to return to the initial departure airport and during cruise flight, the certified flight instructor (CFI) noted a discrepancy with one of the fuel gauges. He landed uneventfully at a nearby airport, and with the engine running, the CFI checked for fuel leaks and checked both fuel tanks; no leakage was noted and both tanks were found to contain a sufficient quantity of fuel. The CFI elected to depart to the return to the original departure airport and approximately 15 minutes into the flight, oil spots were noted on the windshield. The CFI reported the engine lost power shortly after seeing the oil spots. The CFI maneuvered the airplane for a landing in a field maintaining 85 miles-per-hour (mph), and during the landing roll with the flaps retracted, the airplane collided with a berm and became airborne. The airplane then contacted another berm becoming airborne again for a short distance. The airplane then impacted the ground and came to rest upright. The CFI exited the airplane and obtained assistance for the student who remained in the airplane. Examination of the fuel system, fuel vent system, air induction system, exhaust system, and engine assembly revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The crankshaft fracture was noted to be from overstress. On engine testing of the ignition system components revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Bench testing of fuel injection system components and both magnetos revealed no evidence of preimpact failure, a discrepancy was noted with the condensers of both magnetos. Bench testing of the fuel selector valve and flexible fuel lines revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Testing of fuel from the facility that fueled the airplane revealed no discrepancies that would cause a loss of engine power. No determination was made as to the reason for the reported loss of engine power. Review of the "Flight Manual" for the airplane revealed that for forced landings on unprepared surfaces, full flaps should be used if possible with a 75 mph glide.
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
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,000 hours in all; 350 in this make and model; 350 in the last 90 days; 150 in the last 30 days; 800 as pilot in command; 530 on instruments
- Last flight review: November 26, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
Dual student
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 14,282.0 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, January 26, 2002; 6.0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-360-DB (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Patrick Afb Aero Club
The flight
- Departed from: COF Patrick Afb FL at 4:07 pm
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from MLB, 32 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.