# NTSB CHI91LA094: Cessna R172K, N758ML, Herington, KS, February 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1991, 11:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Herington, KS
- Coordinates: 38.669261, -96.940704 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6693&lon=-96.9407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15009
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15009/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA094

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FAILURE OF A CONNECTING ROD BOLT.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE SOFT, UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## 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
  - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE FAILED. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE ON A SOFT, FARM PASTURE. DURING THE ROLL-OUT, THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. A POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FAILED ROD CAP BOLT ON THE #5 CONNECTING ROD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N758ML](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N758ML), registered now, S/N R1723204 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA R172K
- Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1723204
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-K 195 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lyons Flying Club
- Departed: LYO, LYONS, KS
- Destination: LWC, LAWRENCE, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 155 total, 88 in this make and model, 155 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910209003919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910209003919A), Feb 9, 1991: Cessna R172K, Herington, KS, Substantial damage. Rod cap bolt failed en route. Caused catastrophic engine failure. Nosed over on forced landing in soft field.

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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