# Accident 20140716012449A: Cessna 172N, Rockville, IN, July 16, 2014

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 16, 2014, 13:45 local time
- Place: Rockville, IN
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.7612° N, 87.2269° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7612&lon=-87.2269&mi=10
- Aircraft: N13SK, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13SK) (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: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN14LA374](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA374) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140716012449A

## Narrative

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

AT APPROXIMATELY 1:45 PM EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, A CESSNA 172 AIRCRAFT, N13SK, SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE FOLLOWING IMPACT WITH TERRAIN WHILE RETURNING FROM A SIGHT-SEEING FLIGHT OVER SPENCER, INDIANA.

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT OCCUPANT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE NOT INJURED.  THE AIRPLANE WAS REGISTERED TO THE PILOT AND WAS BEING OPERATED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF 14 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS PART 91 AS A PERSONAL FLIGHT.  VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED OR REQUIRED.

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN DROP IN ENGINE RPM AND A "POPPING" NOISE DURING CRUISE AT 2,000 MSL.  HE SCANNED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE RPM HAD DECREASED FROM 2300 TO 1700.  THE ENGINE THEN BEGAN A GRADUAL DECREASE IN RPM TOWARDS IDLE.  HE CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR AND IGNITION SWITCH WERE IN THE "BOTH" POSITIONS.  HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT AND NOTICED AN ADDITIONAL DECREASE IN RPM.  HE STATED THAT BECAUSE OF HIS PROXIMITY TO THE GROUND, HE ELECTED TO REMOVE CARBURETOR HEAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER APPLYING IT.  HE DID NOT PERFORM A MAGNETO CHECK.

THE WITNESSES, WHO ARE THE PROPERTY OWNERS RESIDING NEXT TO THE FIELD WHERE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED, REPORTED HEARING A "POPPING" NOISE FROM THE AIRCRAFT AS IT DESCENDED OVER THEIR PROPERTY TOWARDS THE POINT OF IMPACT.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE CORN INDENTATIONS REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE CORNFIELD ON A NORTHWEST HEADING, SLID APPROXIMATELY 70 FEET AND CAME TO REST FACING EAST.  THE LEFT WING, RIGHT WING, AND NOSE LANDING GEAR RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL 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 CEN14LA374](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA374), Jul 16, 2014: Cessna 172N (N13SK), Rockville, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power due to a failure of the dual magneto system. Contributing to the accident was the improper maintenance of the duel magneto system.

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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