Cessna 172M N9263H accident near Manhattan, Kansas

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat during the approach and his unsuitable flight profile for an upsloping runway, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and an impact with terrain during an attempted go-around.

NTSB analysis

The pilot flew a low approach to a turf runway with an upslope and then attempted a goaround with an airspeed of about 55 knots and the flaps extended. The pilot noted a partial loss of engine power and noted that the airplane would not climb. The airplane descended slightly and subsequently impacted trees and fence poles beyond the departure end of the runway, which damaged both wings.

Postaccident examination of the airplane and engines revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated he did not apply carburetor heat during the approach. With the probability of serious carburetor icing at glide power, the lack of carburetor heat likely contributed to the partial loss of engine power during the go-around attempt.

Another pilot familiar with the airport reported that the runway’s upslope was difficult to fly over. Because the pilot did not maintain a higher airspeed during the low approach and initiate the go-around earlier, he flew an unsuitable profile for the upsloping runway.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN22LA181 for the full record.