20120217001819A

Accident · Substantial damage

FAA accident report · Cessna 172N · Powhatan, VA · February 17, 2012

Date: February 17, 2012 · 16:52 local
Place: Powhatan, VA
Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
Damage: Substantial damage
Aircraft: N4737D
NTSB investigation: NTSBERA12LA191
Reported as: Cessna 172N
Reported engine: Lycoming 0-320 series
People aboard: 1
Fatal injuries: 0
Other injuries: 0
Pilot’s certificate: Private pilot
Pilot’s flight hours: 744 total728 in this make and model20 in the last 90 days

N4737DRegistration cancelled Jan 24, 2018 · Cessna 172NS/N 17272345 · Built 1979 Airframe modelCessna 172N Engine modelLycoming 0-320 seriesReciprocating

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry 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.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

While cruising at 4,500 feet, PIC lost RPM from 2500 to 1500 RPM with a strong vibration. Pilot located a field, accomplished an emergency landing checklist and landed the aircraft. The aircraft hit a road embankment and telephone pole causing landing gear and right wing spar damage.

As the FAA filed it

WHILE CRUISING AT 4,500 FEET, PIC LOST RPM FROM 2500 TO 1500 RPM WITH A STRONG VIBRATION. PILOT LOCATED A FIELD, ACCOMPLISHED AN EMERGENCY LANDING CHECKLIST AND LANDED THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT HIT A ROAD EMBANKMENT AND TELEPHONE POLE CAUSING LANDING GEAR AND RIGHT WING SPAR DAMAGE.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB ERA12LA191Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportFlat Rock, VAThe partial loss of engine power due to the failure of the exhaust valve spring seat for reasons that could not be determined.Feb 17, 2012 · Substantial damage