# NTSB CHI93LA205: Cessna 172P, N55404, Hartford, WI, June 14, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1993, 20:17 local (Jun 14, 1993, 01:17 UTC)
- Place: Hartford, WI
- Coordinates: 43.320896, -88.380165 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3209&lon=-88.3802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15734
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15734/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA205

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, ABOUT 200 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL OVER THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD POP, THE ENGINE'S POWER DROPPED OFF AND OIL SMOKE FILLED THE AIR. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A GRASS RUNWAY. DURING THE ROLLOUT, THE AIRCRAFT WENT OFF THE EDGE OF THE GRASS STRIP AND CROSSED A SHALLOW DITCH, SEPARATING THE NOSE AND LEFT MAIN GEAR FROM THE AIRPLANE. AN ENGINE TEAR DOWN REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER 4 CYLINDER SPLIT IN HALF NEAR THE CENTER OF THE BARREL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55404](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55404), registered now, S/N 17275175, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275
- Airframe hours: 4617
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Waukesha Flying Services,Inc.
- Registered owner: Waukesha Flying Services,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 28, 1993, 101 hours before
- Departed: HXF
- Destination: MWC, MILWAUKEE, WI
- Airport: HXF, Hartford Municipal, runway 11, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 548 total, 145 in this make and model, 486 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: UES, 19 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 19930613017999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930613017999A), Jun 13, 1993: Cessna 172P, Hartford, WI, Substantial damage. Loud bang rough engine on takeoff. Turned back. Overran grass strip on forced landing. NR4 cylinder split in half.

## Other investigations on N55404 (2)

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 CHI95LA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA290), Aug 20, 1995: Cessna 172P (N55404), Port Washington, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: the failure of the #2 cylinder due to fatigue cracking. A factor was the soft terrain.
- [NTSB DEN82DA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA204), Sep 26, 1982: Cessna 172 (N55404), Rock Springs, 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.

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