# NTSB ERA09LA271: Cessna 177, N2803X, Kinston, NC, April 24, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 24, 2009, 09:50 local (13:50 UTC) - Place: Kinston, NC - Coordinates: 35.125556, -77.58361 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1256&lon=-77.5836&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73738 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA271 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73738/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73738 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA271 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 1 cylinder exhaust valve for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During cruise flight the pilot stated that the engine suddenly and without warning began running rough with "...much vibration." He reduced power, which reduced the vibration, and the airplane began losing altitude. He proceeded to the nearest airport but after recognizing that he would be unable to land there, he maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing in a field. Examination of the engine revealed the No. 1 cylinder exhaust valve was broken and the top of the No. 1 cylinder and piston were damaged by the broken valve. Although the engine was last overhauled on August 12, 1989, the cylinders were not replaced at that time. The overhaul entry indicates that the cylinders were only inspected and honed. Further, there was no record that the No. 1 cylinder had been removed and replaced since the engine was overhauled. The engine had accumulated approximately 1,310 hours since overhaul at the time of the accident. The reason for the No. 1 exhaust valve failure was not determined. ## Factual narrative On April 24, 2009, about 0950 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177, N2803X, registered to and operated by a private individual, experienced a partial loss of engine power and was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Kinston, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight, from Chesapeake Regional Airport (CPK), Norfolk, Virginia, to Henderson Field Airport (ACZ), Wallace, North Carolina. The certificated private pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated from CPK about 0820. The pilot stated that while flying at 2,900 feet with the power set to 2,350 rpm, en route to the destination airport, the engine suddenly and without warning began running rough with "...much vibration." He reduced power which reduced the vibration somewhat and the airplane began losing altitude. Using the on-board global positioning system (GPS) receiver he proceeded towards the nearest airport. He then noticed the exhaust gas temperature was decreasing. He reduced power to maintain best glide airspeed (70 knots), and then increased power but the response was sluggish. He again reduced power, and after recognizing that he would be unable to land at the nearest airport, he looked for a place to land. After spotting a large field ahead he maneuvered the airplane for a traffic pattern entry for the forced landing. After touchdown in the plowed field the airplane came to rest upright. Examination of the engine revealed the No. 1 cylinder exhaust valve was broken and the top of the No. 1 cylinder and piston were impact damaged by the broken valve. Review of the maintenance records revealed that although the engine was last overhauled on August 12, 1989, the cylinders were not replaced at that time. The overhaul entry indicates the cylinders were only inspected and honed. Further, there was no record that the No. 1 cylinder had been removed and replaced since the engine was overhauled. The engine had accumulated approximately 1,310 hours since overhaul at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2803X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2803X), registered now, S/N 17700203, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177 - Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17700203 - Airframe hours: 3382 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Rogerson Benjamin - Registered owner: Rogerson Benjamin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, November 22, 2008 - Departed: CPK, Norfolk, VA - Destination: ACZ, Wallace, NC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 16, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 531 total, 397 in this make and model, 447 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 4 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: ISO ## 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 20090424005709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090424005709A), Apr 24, 2009: Cessna 177, Kinston, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft was in cruise flight and developed a rough running engine. Pilot tried to correct the engine roughness with different power settings with no… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 22, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73738. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317637&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317638&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Statement from Mechanic (item 3, .PDF, 77 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317639&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20from%20Mechanic-Master.PDF - Excerpts from Maintenance Records (item 4, .PDF, 185 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317640&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20from%20Maintenance%20Records-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Digital Photograph Provided by the Pilot. View of the Interior of the No. 1 cylinder. (item 5, .PDF, 884 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317641&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20the%20Pilot.%20View%20of%20the%20Interior%20of%20the%20No.%201%20cylinder.-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Digital Photograph Provided by the Pilot. View of the No. 1 Piston. (item 6, .PDF, 872 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317642&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20the%20Pilot.%20View%20of%20the%20No.%201%20Piston.-Master.PDF 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.