# Accident 20120217001819A: Cessna 172N, Powhatan, VA, February 17, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 17, 2012, 16:52 local time
- Place: Powhatan, VA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.5203° N, 77.8203° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5203&lon=-77.8203&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4737D, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4737D-2018-01-24) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172N (registry code 2072434, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 744 total, 728 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA12LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA191) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120217001819A

## Narrative

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

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.

## 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 ERA12LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA191), Feb 17, 2012: Cessna 172N (N4737D), Flat Rock, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The partial loss of engine power due to the failure of the exhaust valve spring seat for reasons that could not be determined.

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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