# NTSB BFO91LA033: Cessna 172, N5241D, Hagerstown, MD, March 22, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1991, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Hagerstown, MD
- Coordinates: 39.629756, -77.71099 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6298&lon=-77.7110&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11663
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11663/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA033

## Probable cause

WORN CAMSHAFT LOBES WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## 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
  - engine assembly,camshaft - worn (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS EN ROUTE WHEN THE ENGINE POWER DECREASED TO 1500 RPM.  HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE SO HE MADE A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD, WHERE THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A FENCE.  THE EXAMINATION REVEALED THE CAMSHAFT LOBES WERE SEVERELY WORNED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5241D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5241D), registered now, S/N 17272465, built 1979 (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
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clark Aviation
- Registered owner: Clark Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CRW, CHARLESTON, WV
- Destination: CXY, HARRISBURG, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HGR, 999 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 19910322063279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910322063279A), Mar 22, 1991: Cessna 172N, Hagerstown, MD, Substantial damage. Power reduced to 1500 RPM. Landing in a field struck a fence. Six cam lobes were worn below specifications.

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.