# NTSB DEN89LA122: Cessna 175, N7557M, Sheridan, WY, May 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1989, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Sheridan, WY
- Coordinates: 44.790443, -106.949378 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7904&lon=-106.9494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17711
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17711/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA122

## Probable cause

BINDING (STUCK) #4 EXHAUST VALVE. HIGH VEGETATION (HAY) AND A HIDDEN OBSTRUCTION (DITCH) WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## 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,valve,exhaust - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - climb - not possible
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG WAS NOT DEVELOPING SUFFICIENT POWER TO CLIMB OR RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE FLEW DOWN A CANYON & LANDED IN A HAY FIELD. DRG THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT HIT AN UNSEEN DITCH & THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE #4 EXHAUST VALVE WAS STICKING. ELEVATION OF THE ARPT WAS 4012 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7557M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7557M), registered now, S/N 55857, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175
- Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 55857
- Airframe hours: 2636
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GO-300-A 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clayton C. Cole
- Registered owner: Clayton C. Cole
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 1989, 20 hours before
- Departed: SHR
- Destination: 43V, BRULE, NE
- Airport: SHR, Sheridan

## 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: 1,900 total, 7 in this make and model, 15 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19890521012559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890521012559A), May 21, 1989: Cessna 175, Sheridan, WY, Substantial damage. Took off second time with engine not operating properly. Unable to outclimb terrain crash landed. Had bad cylinder.

## Other investigations on N7557M (1)

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 DEN66D0046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66D0046-121986), Jul 25, 1966: Cessna 175 (N7557M), Santa Fe, NM, 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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