# NTSB DEN93LA018: Cessna 172E, N3196F, Ramah, CO, December 27, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 27, 1992, 14:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Ramah, CO
- Coordinates: 39.1208, -104.160469 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1208&lon=-104.1605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18266
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18266/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA018

## Probable cause

A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE NUMBER ONE CONNECTING ROD.  A FACTOR WAS:  A FORCED LANDING ONTO UNSUITABLE 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 - normal
  - engine assembly,push rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, ON A LOCAL AREA PERSONAL FLIGHT, THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE NUMBER ONE CONNECTING ROD.  A FORCED LANDING WAS CONDUCTED TO ROUGH AND UNEVEN TERRAIN AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER DURING LANDING ROLL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3196F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3196F-2014-07-02), registration cancelled 2014-07-02, S/N 1720218, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E
- Registry model: [Cessna R172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172e) (registry code 2072413) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R172-0218
- Airframe hours: 8163
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-D 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Peterson Afb Flying Club
- Registered owner: United States Air Force
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 27, 1992, 39 hours before
- Departed: COS, COLO SPRING, CO
- Destination: COS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 280 total, 80 in this make and model, 235 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: COS, 35 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 19921227051729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921227051729A), Dec 27, 1992: Cessna R172E, Ramah, CO, Substantial damage. Engine broke a connecting rod during cruise flight. Nosed over landing in rough field.

## Other investigations on N3196F (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 CEN12LA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA171), Feb 27, 2012: Cessna R172E (N3196F), Denver, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper decision to taxi in wind conditions that exceeded the airplane’s capability.

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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