# NTSB ATL89LA208: Cessna 175, N7174M, Spruce Pine, NC, September 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1989, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Spruce Pine, NC
- Coordinates: 35.910682, -82.06018 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9107&lon=-82.0602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8062
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8062/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA208

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. THE POWER LOSS MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO A STICKING VALVE(S).

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - movement restricted (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE TO FRANKLIN, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A ROUGH ENGINE, AND ELECTED TO LAND IN BLACKSBURG, VIRGINIA. ALL IGNITION LEADS WERE TORQUED AND THE AIRPLANE OPERATED NORMALLY. ABOUT ONE HOUR INTO THE NEXT LEG OF THE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE ANOTHER PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. AIRPLANE CRASHED 200 YARDS SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. REPORTEDLY, THE AIRPLANE HAD A HISTORY OF STICKING VALVES. THE PILOT COMPARED THE FAILING ENGINE TO THAT OF A STICKING VALVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7174M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7174M-2018-01-23), registration cancelled 2018-01-23, S/N 55474, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175
- Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 55474
- Airframe hours: 2990
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GO-300 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Authur Bulter
- Registered owner: Arthur W Butler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 1989, 16 hours before
- Departed: BLACKSBURG, VA
- Destination: FRANKLIN, NC
- Airport: 7A8, Avery/Morrison, runway 16, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,800 total, 175 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HXY

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890902033559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890902033559A), Sep 2, 1989: Cessna 175, Spruce Pine, NC, Substantial damage. Sticking valve caused partial power loss near airport. Crashed short of runway.

## Other investigations on N7174M (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 NYC67F0305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67F0305), Oct 6, 1966: Cessna 175 (N7174M), Beaver, WV, substantial damage

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.

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