# NTSB ATL90LA159: Cessna 172, N66068, Ridge Spring, SC, August 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1990, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Ridge Spring, SC
- Location: 33.8449° N, 81.6609° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ridge Spring, SC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8449&lon=-81.6609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8263
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8263/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA159

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY/OWNER TO FOLLOW STANDARD PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO EXTEND THE FLAPS DURING THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - jammed (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul,major - not performed, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - lowering of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ESTABLISHED AT CRUISE WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD BANG. SHORTLY AFTERWARD, THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT SELECTED AN OPEN FIELD FOR THE EMERGENCY LANDING. AFTER CLEARING A TREE LINE THE PILOT MADE A NORMAL TOUCHDOWN. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE NOSE GEAR COLLIDED WITH A DITCH, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. THE ENGINE EXAMINATION FOUND NO.4 EXHAUST VALVE STUCK AND THE PUSH ROD/HOUSING ASSEMBLIES WERE DISPLACED FROM THEIR NORMAL POSITIONS. THE ENGINE WAS 345 HOURS OVER THE SUGGESTED OVERHAUL TIME IN SERVICE WHEN THE VALVE STUCK. THE PILOT ALSO FAILED TO EXTEND THE WING FLAPS DURING THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66068](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66068-1991-03-25), registration cancelled 1991-03-25, S/N 17275958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275958
- Airframe hours: 2345
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mmb Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 24, 1990, 95 hours before
- Departed: CAE, COLUMBIA, SC
- Destination: 48J, THOMSON, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,500 total, 370 in this make and model, 1,439 as pilot in command, 156 in the last 90 days, 61 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 79 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAE, 30 nm away

## 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 19900813033019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900813033019A), Aug 13, 1990: Cessna 172P, Ridge Springs, SC, Substantial damage. Engine quit nosed over landing in a field. Had stuck and bent valves. Engine was 345 hours over tbo. No prior work.

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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