# NTSB ATL93LA152: Cessna 172, N2437E, N. Myrtle Beach, SC, September 9, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 9, 1993, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: N. Myrtle Beach, SC - Coordinates: 33.819889, -78.669586 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8199&lon=-78.6696&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 17, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3258 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3258/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA152 ## Probable cause THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE EXHAUST VALVE WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE SOFT TERRAIN IN THE LANDING AREA WAS A FACTOR. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,nose gear - overload - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING AN AERIAL PATROL FLIGHT. HE ATTEMPTED AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN A FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT NOSE GEAR SHEARED OFF IN THE SOFT TERRAIN AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER ONE EXHAUST VALVE HAD FAILED, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. ## Factual narrative On September 9, 1993, about 1530 eastern daylight time a Cessna 172, N2347E, collapsed the nose landing gear during a forced landing near North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The airplane was operated by Bentco Aerial Patrol under 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the power line patrol flight. The commercial pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Athens, Georgia, about 1400 on the same day. The pilot reported that the engine lost power. A forced landing was made in a field. During the landing roll, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the aircraft engine revealed that the number one exhaust valve had failed. The valve head was found in the engine crankcase, and there was metal contamination found in the valve cover of the number one cylinder. The aircraft owner failed to respond to the request for completion of NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report.(See Attached letter of Request and Receipt for Certified Document.) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2437E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2437E-2014-09-23), registration cancelled 2014-09-23, S/N 17271282, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17271282 - Airframe hours: 11734 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Brentco Aerial Patrol, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 26, 1993 - Departed: 52A, MADISON, GA - Destination: CRE, MYRTLE BEACH, SC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,241 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 297 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 4 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CRE, 3 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 19930909041839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930909041839A), Sep 9, 1993: Cessna 172N, N Myrtle Beach, SC, Substantial damage. Forced landing due to stuck valve. ## Other investigations on N2437E (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 CHI81FEI14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FEI14), Mar 23, 1981: Cessna 172 (N2437E), Spencer, OH, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.