# NTSB CHI82DA356: Cessna 172M, N9871Q, Brimfield, IL, September 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: September 18, 1982, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Brimfield, IL
- Coordinates: 40.830947, -89.879302 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8309&lon=-89.8793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70030
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA356
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70030/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA356

## 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, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT ABOUT 30 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER WAS EXPERIENCED AND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE SOUNDS OF METAL-TO-METAL CONTACT. HE HEADED TOWARD AN AIRPORT ABOUT 12 MILES AWAY, BUT SHORTLY THEREAFTER, TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRED. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A CORN FIELD. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NO 4 EXHAUST VALVE HAD FAILED. EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE VALVE GUIDE AND VALVE STEM HAD OCCURRED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF POOR HEAT DISSIPATION FROM THE VALVE AND UNEVEN/HIGH SEATING VELOCITIES ON THE VALVE HEAD. THE ENGINE HAD ACCUMULATED 2156 HRS OF FLIGHT TIME AND HAD NEVER BEEN OVERHAULED. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMEND OVERHAULS AT 2000 HR INTERVALS AND OIL CHANGES AT 50 HR INTERVALS. THE ENGINE LOG BOOK INDICATED THE OIL WAS CHANGED AT ABOUT 200 HR INTERVALS. LYCOMING SERVICE BULLETIN NO 388A RECOMMENDED CHECKING VALVE GUIDE CLEARANCE AT MID-POINT OF SERVICE TIME OR EARLIER, BUT THE SERVICE BULLETIN HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9871Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9871Q-2009-12-01), registration cancelled 2009-12-01, S/N 17265815, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17265815
- Airframe hours: 2156
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Warren E. Douglas
- Registered owner: Warren E. Douglas
- Departed: MACOMB, IL
- Destination: CHICAGO, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 90 total, 14 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles

## 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 19820918047589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820918047589A), Sep 18, 1982: Cessna 172M, Brimfield, IL, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed during emergency landing after number four exhaust valve failed.

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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