Cessna 172P accident near Plymouth, Florida, July 20, 2003
On July 20, 2003 at about 2:45 pm local time, a Cessna 172P, registered N52186, was substantially damaged in an accident near Plymouth, Florida (Orlando Country airport). It was an instructional 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 continue operation with known deficiencies (engine vibration) resulting in a partial loss of engine power during climb after takeoff and overrun of the runway during the aborted takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 20, 2003 · about 2:45 pm local time
- Place
- Plymouth, Florida · Orlando Country · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172P · all 172Ps on the register
- Registration
- N52186 · no longer on the register · serial 17274429
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated that during the initial climbout from Sanford he noticed a slight, brief engine vibration however the gauges were within normal limits and continue with the flight. While performing touch-and-go landings at Orlando Country Airport, the student reported to him that the airplane was not performing/climbing normally on upwind. According to the CFI during takeoff following a touch-and-go demonstration to the student, while in ground effect, the engine "sputtered" and he was unable to establish a positive climb rate. He initiated precautionary landing with one-third of the runway remaining. He states he then applied the brakes until the airplane departed the departure end of the runway impacting a ditch. The CFI and the student pilot stated, in similar initial on-scene written statements to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, that the takeoff "did not go as planned" and that they needed to collect their thoughts before giving a statement to the FAA. A witness to the accident stated hearing the accident airplane power up and power down before the sound of brakes locking up. An examination of the engine revealed the number one cylinder's spark plugs were fouled with lead and oil. The nearest reported winds to the accident site were from 310 degrees at 5 knots at the Orlando Executive Airport, Orlando, Florida. At the time of the accident, the pilots were conducting touch-and-go landings on runway 15, published runway length of 2,675 feet in length by 120 feet in width.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 982 hours in all; 425 in this make and model; 130 in the last 90 days; 42 in the last 30 days; 907 as pilot in command; 642 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 4, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 212 hours in all; 119 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 142 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 28, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,236 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, July 11, 2003; 39 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D2J (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SFB Orlando FL at 1:19 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 3,165 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,100 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from KORL, 17 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.