# Accident 20030308011279A: Cessna 172H, Callao, MO, March 8, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 8, 2003, 12:05 local time
- Place: Callao, MO
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.7500° N, 92.6333° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7500&lon=-92.6333&mi=10
- Aircraft: N275SW, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N275SW-2017-06-30) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172H (registry code 2072424, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental 0-300 series (registry code 17022, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H
- Reported engine: CONT O300D
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 225 total, 147 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI03LA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA082) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030308011279A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE FROM A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP IN CALLAO, MISSOURI, PILOT STATES THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, WITH THE ENGINE TACHOMETER FLUCTUATING BETWEEN 1800 AND 2000 RPM. CARBURETOR HEAT WAS APPLIED WITH NO APPARENT CHANGE TO ENGINE PERFORMANCE. AT THAT POINT, THE PILOT DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE LOCAL AIRSTRIP. WHILE APPROACHING THE AIRSTRIP, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE TACHOMETER WAS INDICATING BETWEEN 1100 AND 1300 RPM. PILOT STATES THAT DUE TO THE LACK OF AVAILABLE POWER AND RISING TERRAIN HE DECIDED TO APPROACH STRAIGHT-IN FOR A DOWNWIND LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED ON THE WET GRASS/MUDDY RUNWAY, SLIDING OFF THE END AND IMPACTING A GRAVEL ROAD (FIREWORKS AVE), AT WHICH TIME THE NOSE WHEEL ASSEMBLY BROKE OFF. THIS CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO PITCH NOSE DOWN, FLIPPING THE AIRCRAFT UPSIDE DOWN UPON A BARBED-WIRE FENCE ON THE EAST SIDE OF FIREWORKS AVE. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION FOUND NO ENGINE COMPRESSION ON NUMBER TWO CYLINDER. SUBSEQUENT TEAR-DOWN INSPECTION REVEALED PISTON HEAD EROSION WITH DAMAGE EXTENDING COMPLETELY THROUGH THE PISTON. THIS CONDITION IS CONSISTENT WITH A PISTON EXPOSED TO AN ELEVATED OPERATING TEMPERATURE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI03LA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA082), Mar 8, 2003: Cessna 172H (N275SW), Callao, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to the erosion of the number 2 piston, resulting in loss of compression on that cylinder. Contributing factors were the tailwind, the muddy runway condition, and the…

## Other reports on N275SW (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20010727030299I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010727030299I), Jul 27, 2001: Cessna 172H (N275SW), Elizabethtown, IL. (-23)[privacy data omitted]- received a report from the hardin county sherriff's dept that N275SW had landed on a bridge near elizabeth, IL. According to the…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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