# NTSB CHI08CA264: Cessna 172, N3901R, Pullman, MI, August 24, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 24, 2008, 15:06 local (19:06 UTC) - Place: Pullman, MI - Coordinates: 42.465278, -86.080001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4653&lon=-86.0800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 69033 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA264 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69033/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA264 ## Probable cause A complete loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the rough terrain encountered during the forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Emergency descent initiated](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/130); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/130/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/130/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the purpose of the local flight was to put approximately two hours flight time on the engine after some recent maintenance work. The pilot indicated that takeoff and initial climb were normal. After about 50 minutes of flight, the engine hesitated and began to lose power. The pilot noted an initial drop in engine speed of 200 revolutions per minute (rpm). He established a course toward an intermediate airport approximately 6 miles from his present position. His efforts to restore full engine power were not successful, and the engine ultimately lost all power. He executed a forced landing to a corn field, substantially damaging the airplane. A post-accident examination did not reveal any reason for the loss of power. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the purpose of the local flight was to put approximately two hours flight time on the engine after some recent maintenance work. The pilot indicated that takeoff and initial climb were normal. After about 50 minutes of flight, the engine hesitated and began to lose power. The pilot noted an initial drop in engine speed of 200 revolutions per minute (rpm). He established a course toward an intermediate airport approximately 6 miles from his present position. His efforts to restore full engine power were not successful, and the engine ultimately lost all power. He executed a forced landing to a corn field, substantially damaging the airplane. A post accident examination did not reveal any reason for the loss of power to the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3901R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3901R), registered now, S/N 17255401 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (H) - Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172-55401 - Airframe hours: 4623 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 17, 2008 - Departed: MGC, Michigan City, IN - Destination: MGC, Michigan City, IN - Airport: MGC, Michigan City Muni ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 31, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 228 total, 155 in this make and model, 225 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 10 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: BIV, 17 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 20080824846189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080824846189A), Aug 24, 2008: Cessna 172H, Pullman, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft's engine lost power during flight, pilot unable to maintain altitude, executed emergency landing in corn field. ## Other investigations on N3901R (4) 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 OAK72DVG43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72DVG43), Mar 16, 1972: Cessna 172 (N3901R), Napa, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB DEN69D0217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN69D0217), Jan 26, 1969: Cessna 172 (N3901R), Fort Carson, CO, substantial damage - [NTSB DEN68D0165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN68D0165), Nov 28, 1967: Cessna 172 (N3901R), Casper, WY, substantial damage - [NTSB DEN68D0065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN68D0065), Aug 1, 1967: Cessna 172 (N3901R), Casper, WY, 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.