# Accident 20070523016289A: Cessna 172E, Leesburg, VA, May 23, 2007

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 23, 2007, 18:00 local time
- Place: Leesburg, VA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Forced/Precautionary Landing
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.0636° N, 77.6367° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0636&lon=-77.6367&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3982S, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3982S-2025-06-24) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172E (registry code 2072412, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental 0-300 series (registry code 17022, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 230 total, 230 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC07LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07LA125) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070523016289A

## Narrative

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

(-23) APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES INTO FLIGHT ENGINE STARTED SPUTTERING AND QUIT. PILOT JUST FUELED AT LEESBURG ON HIS WAY TO WINCHESTER FOR AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR. UPON INVESTIGATION THE NTSB FOUND A BAD INTAKE VALVE.

## 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 NYC07LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07LA125), May 23, 2007: Cessna 172E (N3982S), Leesburg, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power that resulted from the failure of an exhaust valve rocker arm during cruise.

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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