# NTSB DEN91LA108: Cessna 172, N7806U, Slaton, TX, August 4, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1991, 11:55 local (17:55 UTC)
- Place: Slaton, TX
- Coordinates: 33.430648, -101.639564 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4306&lon=-101.6396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18120
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18120/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA108

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE ENGINE'S NUMBER THREE PISTON.  A RELATED FACTOR WAS: COLLISION WITH A DITCH DURING THE LANDING ROLL.

## 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, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - engine assembly,piston - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FINAL APPROACH TO LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE FAILED. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE WAS TOO LOW AND SLOW TO REACH THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT MADE A SUCCESSFUL EMERGENCY LANDING, BUT DURING THE GROUND ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A DITCH AND NOSED OVER. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE #3 PISTON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7806U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7806U-1992-08-21), registration cancelled 1992-08-21, S/N 17251806 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17251806
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald J. Bartholomew
- Registered owner: Ronald J. Bartholomew
- Departed: 92F, CHATTANOOGA, OK
- Destination: F49
- Airport: F49, Slaton Municipal, runway 18, 3,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 174 total, 162 in this make and model, 164 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Observed at: LBB, 10 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 19910804031479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910804031479A), Aug 4, 1991: Cessna 172E, Slaton, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power on final. Struck a ditch short of runway. Nosed over. NR3 cylinger had separated from case. Piston broke

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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