# Incident 20250207000489I: Cessna 172N, Orange, VA, February 7, 2025

- Type: FAA incident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 7, 2025, 14:28 local time
- Place: Orange, VA
- Damage: No damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.2478° N, 78.1132° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Orange, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2478&lon=-78.1132&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4739D, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4739D) (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
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 178 total
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250207000489I

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT STATED WHILE CRUISING AT 6,500 FEET, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN DROP IN ENGINE RPM. THE PILOT IMMEDIATELY DIVERTED TO AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT. DURING THE DESCENT, THE AIRCRAFT LOST TOTAL ENGINE POWER. BEING UNABLE TO GLIDE TO THE ALTERNATE AIRPORT, THE PILOT LANDED IN A FIELD. NO INJURIES OR DAMAGE WERE REPORTED OR OBSERVED.

DURING A POST INCIDENT ENGINE INSPECTION, THE DUAL MAGENTO WAS FOUND TO HAVE FAILED. THE FAILED MAGNETO WAS REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH AN OVERHAULED MAGNETO. A POST MAINTENANCE RUN UP WAS PERFORMED AND ALL OPERATIONS CHECKED GOOD.

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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