# NTSB CHI88LA018: Cessna 172P, N52263, Danville, IL, November 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1987, 09:57 local (15:57 UTC)
- Place: Danville, IL
- Coordinates: 42.290443, -89.630676 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2904&lon=-89.6307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 17, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14010
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14010/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA018

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - movement restricted (cause)
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING AN EMERGENCY OFF AIRPORT LANDING, SUBSEQUENT TO A POWER FAILURE, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A NOSE OVER AND SUFFERED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT REPORTED NO INJURIES. INVESTIGATION AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED A VALVE STICKING PROBLEM IN THE ENGINE. DURING THE POST ACC EXAM THE ENG WOULD RUN AT HIGH SETTING BUT QUIT WHEN REDUCED TO CRUISE PWR. THE VALVE STEM CLEARANCES WERE FOUND TO MEET SPECS HOWEVER THERE WERE EXCESSIVE CARBON DEPOSITS AT THE BASE OF THE STEMS ON THE INTAKE VALVES. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN OVERHAULED 350 HOURS PREVIOUSLY AND HAD A 100 HOUR INSPECTION 49 HOURS PREVIOUSLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N52263 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274467
- Airframe hours: 2529
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Foster Aviaton Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 29, 1987, 49 hours before
- Departed: DNV, DANVILLE, IL
- Destination: MTO, MATTOON, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 60 total, 24 in this make and model, 33 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CMI, 38 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 19871106062369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871106062369A), Nov 6, 1987: Cessna 172P, Danville, IL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on level off. Crash landed in a field. Found sticking valves and tight valve guides.

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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