# NTSB BFO89LA001: Cessna 172, N739PE, Sandston, VA, October 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1988, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Sandston, VA
- Coordinates: 37.509025, -77.270126 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5090&lon=-77.2701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11478
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11478/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA001

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - accessory drive assy,drive gear - previous damage (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - accessory drive assy,drive gear - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,camshaft - disengaged (contributing factor)
  - ignition system,magneto - disengaged (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear collapsed, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID HE WAS ON FINAL APCH ABOUT 600 TO 800 FT AGL WHEN POWER LOSS OCCURRED. HE FORCED LANDED ON AN OPEN FIELD ABOUT 1/2 MI SHORT OF THE RWY. THE ENG EXAM REVEALED THAT TWO TEETH OF THE IDLER GEAR HAD SEPARATED. THIS RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTINUITY BETWEEN THE CRANKSHAFT, THE CAMSHAFT, AND THE LEFT MAGNETO. METALLURGICAL EXAM DISCLOSED THAT THE TEETH SEPARATED BECAUSE OF OVERLOAD. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN INSTALLED ON ANOTHER AIRCRAFT THAT WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OF WHICH THE DETAILS WERE NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N739PE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739PE-2014-11-18), registration cancelled 2014-11-18, S/N 17270690, 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: 17270690
- Airframe hours: 3083
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Randolph S. Scott
- Registered owner: Randolph S Scott
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 6, 1988, 8 hours before
- Departed: LWB, LEWISBURG, VA
- Destination: RIC, SANDSTON, VA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: RIC, Byrd Intl, runway 2, 6,607 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 129 total, 69 in this make and model, 98 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIC, 1 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 19881006046049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881006046049A), Oct 6, 1988: Cessna 172N, Richmond, VA, Substantial damage. Lost power on final. Landed short. Idler gear teeth broke off. Lost timing camshaft to crankshaft. Over stressed.

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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