# NTSB CHI95LA230: Cessna 172F, N8599U, Wyandotte, IN, July 22, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 22, 1995, 10:10 local (14:10 UTC) - Place: Wyandotte, IN - Coordinates: 38.209739, -86.119438 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2097&lon=-86.1194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9951 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA230 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9951/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA230 ## Probable cause the number three intake valve became stuck (seized), which resulted in a loss of engine power. The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor. ## 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, cruise - normal - engine assembly,valve,intake - seized (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT RATED PASSENGER REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO 'POP' AND THE ENGINE SPEED DROPPED TO 1,400 RPM. THE PILOT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS AND APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT RECOVER. THE AIRPLANE WAS OVER HILLY/FOREST TERRAIN WITH ONLY A SMALL WHEAT FIELD. DURING AN ATTEMPTED FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT MADE A 50 DEGREE TURN TO ALIGN THE AIRPLANE WITH THE FIELD. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE TERRAIN AND SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE FUSELAGE, WINGS, AND EMPENNAGE. A COMPRESSION CHECK REVEALED COMPRESSIONS OF 50, 55, 10, 66, 62, AND 58 POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH IN CYLINDERS ONE THROUGH SIX RESPECTIVELY. DURING THE CHECK OF THE NUMBER THREE CYLINDER, AIR COULD BE HEARD FLOWING INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. EXAMINATION OF THE NUMBER THREE INTAKE VALVE REVEALED 'CONSIDERABLE' CARBON UNDER THE INTAKE VALVE SEAT AND SCRATCHES IN THE VALVE STEM. ## Factual narrative On July 22, 1995, at 1010 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172F, N157JW, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Wyandotte, Indiana. The private pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries. The personal flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Coshocton, Ohio at 0720 eastern daylight time, with a planned destination of Tell City, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone interview, the pilot rated passenger reported they were cruising at 2,600 feet mean sea level. The engine began to "pop" and the engine speed dropped to 1,400 rpm. The pilot switched fuel tanks. He pulled the carburetor heat to the on position and the engine speed decreased slowly. The engine did not recover. The terrain was hilly forest, with no open fields. The pilot attempted a forced landing in a small wheat field. He made a 50 degree turn to align the airplane with the field. The airplane impacted the terrain sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. The wreckage was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airworthiness Inspector. He reported no evidence of preimpact airframe malfunction. A compression check revealed compressions of 50, 55, 10, 66, 62, and 58 pounds per square inch on cylinders one through six respectively. During the check of the number three cylinder, air could be heard flowing into the intake manifold. The number three cylinder was removed and examined by an airframe and powerplant mechanic. He reported "considerable" carbon under the intake valve seat and scratches in the valve stem. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8599U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8599U-2000-10-25), registration cancelled 2000-10-25, S/N 17252499 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172F - Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17252499 - Airframe hours: 1921 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-C 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Donald L. Hamilton - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 1995, 10 hours before - Departed: 52OH, COSHOCTON, OH - Destination: TEL, TELL CITY, IN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 815 total, 760 in this make and model, 736 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19950722026599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950722026599A), Jul 22, 1995: Cessna 172F, Wyandotte, IN, Substantial damage. Engine popping and losing power. Crashed trying land in small clearing. Weak compression and leaky fouled valves. (-23) the cause of the accident was the… 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.