# Accident 20240829016849A: Cessna 172N, Lynchburg, VA, August 29, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 29, 2024, 17:20 local time
- Place: Lynchburg, VA
- Airport: Falwell
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Climb
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.3779° N, 79.1222° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3779&lon=-79.1222&mi=10
- Aircraft: N734SY, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N734SY) (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 O-320-H2AD
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 2,404 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA24LA361](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA361) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240829016849A

## Narrative

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

AIRCRAFT WAS ON ITS FIRST ENGINE BREAK IN TEST FLIGHT POST AN ENGINE TEAR DOWN INSPECTION (IRAN) DUE TO PRIOR LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATIONS.  PIC REPORTED PERFORMING A NORMAL RUNUP AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF THE ENGINE AND DID NOT NOTE ANY ABNORMALITIES PRIOR TO DEPARTURE OF RUNWAY 10 AT FALWELL AIRPORT (W24).  AT 1300 FEET MSL ON THE UPWIND OF RUNWAY 10, AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED COMPLETE POWERLOSS.   PIC PITCHED AIRCRAFT FOR BEST GLIDE AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AN 180 TURN BACK TO W24 TO EXECUTE AN EMERGENCY LANDING.  DUE TO LACK OF CRITICAL ALTITUDE, PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A CLEARING ADJACENT TO HOLCOMB PATH ROAD (APPROX 1/8 OF A MILE EAST OF W24).  AIRCRAFT LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN IN THE FIELD RESULTING IN SUBSTATIAL DAMGE TO THE AIRCRAFT.

## 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 ERA24LA361](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA361), Aug 29, 2024: Cessna 172 (N734SY), Lynchburg, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

## Other reports on N734SY (1)

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

- [Incident 19810619056649I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810619056649I), Jun 19, 1981: Cessna 172N (N734SY), Rattlesnake Isl, OH, Minor damage. Pilot attempted go around but aircraft settled into water off end of runway.

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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