# Accident 20210602012889A: Cessna 172G, Nevada City, CA, June 2, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 2, 2021, 10:00 local time
- Place: Nevada City, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.4130° N, 120.7497° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4130&lon=-120.7497&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3871L, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3871L-2022-07-30) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172G (registry code 2072420, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental 0-300 series (registry code 17022, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR 0-300 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 7,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR21LA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA224) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210602012889A

## Narrative

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

N3871L WAS REPOSITIONING FROM SUTTER COUNTY AIRPORT (O52) TO RENO-TAHOE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (KRNO).  WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 6500 FEET MSL, THE ENGINE APPEARED TO BE RUNNING HOT, SO THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TROUBLESHOOT BY CYCLING CARBURETOR HEAT AND INCREASING FUEL MIXTURE TO 'RICH'. APPROACHING APPROXIMATELY 8500 FEET MSL, NEAR BLUE CANYON/NEVADA CITY, CA, THE AIRCRAFT'S POWERPLANT SUFFERED A LOSS OF POWER.

IN THE DESCENT, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TROUBLESHOOT THE ENGINE.  THE PILOT ENSURED FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN 'BOTH', ENSURED CARBURETOR HEAT WAS 'OFF' AND MANIPULATED THROTTLE TO PRODUCE AS MUCH ENGINE POWER AS POSSIBLE. PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND MADE AN APPROACH TO A CLEAR AREA WITHIN THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

THE AIRCRAFT LANDED WITH LEFT-SIDE-LOAD, WHICH COLLAPSED THE LEFT HAND LANDING GEAR AND CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO ROTATE COUNTERCLOCKWISE ON LANDING/IMPACT.  THE AIRCRAFT HAD SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO BOTH WINGS AND LOWER FUSELAGE.

## 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 WPR21LA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA224), Jun 2, 2021: Cessna 172G (N3871L), Washington, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power during an enroute climb due to a stuck exhaust valve and multiple failed piston compression rings.

## Other reports on N3871L (1)

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

- [Accident 19861121060019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861121060019A), Nov 21, 1986: Cessna 172G (N3871L), Evansville, IN, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion and the aircraft struck a fence during landing. No mechanical defects noted.

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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