Cessna 172A accident near Eatonville, Washington, May 31, 2013
On May 31, 2013, a Cessna 172A, registered N7701T, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (descent) near Eatonville, Washington (Swanson Airport). It was a personal 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 partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a go-around, which resulted in a stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 31, 2013
- Place
- Eatonville, Washington · Swanson Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172A · all 172As on the register
- Registration
- N7701T · no longer on the register · serial 47301
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that when he was 35 miles from his destination he reduced power to descend from 6,500 feet to 3,000 feet, and applied carburetor heat. When he added power to level off at 3,000 feet, the engine rpm stabilized between 1,800 to 2,000 rpm. The pilot stated that he suspected carburetor ice and applied carburetor heat again, but the engine did not regain full power. He diverted to a nearby airport and entered the pattern for the northern runway. During the landing sequence he determined that he was landing long. He applied power to perform a go-around, however, the engine only accelerated to 1,500 - 1,600 rpm. As he flew the airplane into a left turn to avoid trees the airplane stalled, entered a descent, and impacted a house. The carburetor icing chart indicated the possibility of serious carburetor icing at the reported temperatures. The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25A) states that first indication of carburetor ice in an airplane with a fixed-pitch propeller is a decrease in engine rpm. Additionally, it states that when conditions are conductive to carburetor icing that carburetor heat should be applied immediately and should be left ON until the pilot is certain all the ice has been removed. If ice is present applying partial heat or leaving heat on for an insufficient time might aggravate the situation. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failure that would have precluded normal operation.
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 (partial) during enroute (descent) defining event
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR go-around)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Attain/maintain not possible
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Effect on equipment
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 357 hours in all; 294 in this make and model
- Last flight review: January 27, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,403 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 21, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-300 SER (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KEUG Eugene OR at 10:00 pm
- Destination: KRNT Renton WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 2,990 ft by 36 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,400 ft; scat at 1,400 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observation at 2:15 pm from KTCM, 17 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
5 documents, released by the NTSB on June 18, 2013. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation with the Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | FAA on Scene Examination | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | FAA-H-8083-25A (Carburetor Ice) | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Carburetor Ice Probability 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.
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.