Cessna 172P N55212 accident near Chesapeake, Ohio

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the pilot’s delayed use of carburetor heat and failure to attain the proper touchdown point on the runway during the precautionary landing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that the takeoff run was normal, but during the initial climb the engine started to sound as if it was running rough. He immediately executed a steep left turn to return and land on the runway. On the final approach the airplane was high and fast, and floated down the runway. The airplane touched down about 2,000 feet down the runway and the pilot applied the toe brakes without effect. He applied full power and attempted to retract the flaps to avoid hitting the trees that were beyond the departure end of the runway. With the airspeed about 60 knots, the stall horn sounded and the airplane impacted the tree tops. The left wing dropped and the airplane rotated to the left with the nose impacting the ground. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no airframe or engine anomalies. Based on the temperature and dew point about the time of the accident, the conditions were favorable for serious icing at any power setting.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11LA169 for the full record.