# NTSB CHI95LA290: Cessna 172P, N55404, Port Washington, WI, August 20, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 1995, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Port Washington, WI - Coordinates: 43.390563, -87.870147 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3906&lon=-87.8701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 4 minor - Status: Completed, report July 3, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10005 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA290 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10005/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA290 ## Probable cause the failure of the #2 cylinder due to fatigue cracking. A factor was the soft 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,cylinder - fatigue (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the engine lost power during a local flight and he made a forced landing onto a farm field. During the landing roll, the nose wheel dug into the soil and the airplane came to rest in an inverted position. Postaccident investigation revealed that the #2 cylinder had fractured as a result of fatigue cracking. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 1995, at 1415 central daylight time (cdt), a Cessna 172P, N55404, operated by Waukesha Flying Service, Inc., of Waukesha, Wisconsin, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing in Port Washington, Wisconsin. The commercially certificated pilot and three passengers reported minor injuries. The local 14 CFR Part 91 pleasure flight departed Waukesha County Airport, Waukesha, Wisconsin, at 1330 cdt. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident. In a detailed written statement, the pilot reported the engine began to run rough approximately 45 minutes after departure. The pilot stated that he immediately applied carburetor heat and performed a magneto check, but the engine roughness became progressively worse. The pilot stated that the oil temperature gauge showed a rapid increase, the oil pressure gauge showed a rapid decrease, and white smoke began to emit from the front of the engine cowling. The pilot selected a field to make a forced landing on and briefed the passengers. After clearing tension wires which lined the approach end of the field, the airplane touched down on the field. The nose wheel dug into the soil and the airplane came to rest in an inverted position. Postaccident investigation revealed the number two cylinder, P/N 78475, had fractured. The cylinder was sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory, Washington, D.C., for examination. The laboratory reported the cylinder barrel was cracked through an arc of approximately 300 degrees. The largest opening of the crack was between the fourth and fifth cooling fins. Examination of the cleaned fracture revealed crack arrest positions of fatigue cracking. See attached NTSB Metallurgist's Factual Report and Textron Lycoming Technical Report. The airplane logbook shows the last inspection was an annual inspection performed on August 8, 1995. The airplane has logged 19 hours of flight time since the inspection. ## 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: 17275175 - Airframe hours: 5034 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Waukesha Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 9, 1995, 19 hours before - Departed: UES, WAUKESHA, WI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,044 total, 400 in this make and model, 875 as pilot in command, 122 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MKE, 27 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 19950820028489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950820028489A), Aug 20, 1995: Cessna 172P, Port Washington, WI, Substantial damage. Rough engine sightseeing flight. Temp increase. Oil down. Smoke form cowl. Nosed over landing. NR2 cylinder broke. (-23) on August 20, 1995, at 1415 CDT a… ## 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 CHI93LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA205), Jun 14, 1993: Cessna 172P (N55404), Hartford, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER AND UNSUITABLE 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. --- 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.