# NTSB FTW04LA063: Cessna 172K, N111TK, Lake Charles, LA, December 23, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 23, 2003, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Lake Charles, LA - Coordinates: 30.1175, -93.223335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1175&lon=-93.2233&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 58630 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58630/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA063 ## Probable cause The disintegration of the piston, which resulted in the catastrophic failure of the engine. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - engine assembly,piston - disintegrated (cause) - engine assembly - failure,total - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft - terrain condition - wet - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The single-engine airplane experienced a loss of engine power while in cruise flight. The 1,200-hour pilot was flying at 1,500 msl, when he noticed "a gradual decrease in engine power." He switched the fuel tanks, checked the magnetos, applied carburetor heat, and checked the primer. The primary engine instruments and "all indicated normal operation." The pilot "pumped the throttle, which appeared to make a positive difference." Subsequently, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power, and the pilot initiated a forced landing to a saturated field. Upon touchdown, the nose wheel sunk into the mud. the airplane nosed over, and came to rest inverted. According to records provided by the FAA, the engine was last overhauled on April 20, 2003, and accumulated 304.2 hours since the overhaul. The engine total time was 6,214.2 hours since new. An examination and teardown of the engine revealed a catastrophic engine failure. During the examination, a large hole in the engine case was present under the #2 cylinder, and several small breaks were present on the top left of the case near the #2 and #4 cylinders. The #1 cylinder spark plug seat was cracked and showed evidence of impact damage was noted. A circular impression, corresponding to the end of the #1piston rod, was observed on the inside of the #1 spark plug seat. The #1 piston head was found totally disintegrated. Fragments of metal were found throughout the case. Exhaust and intake valves did not appear to be damaged. ## Factual narrative On December 23, 2003, approximately 1500 central standard time, a Cessna 172K, single-engine airplane, N111TK, registered to and operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power approximately 10 miles south of Lake Charles, Louisiana. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from Stennis International Airport (HSA), near Bay Lou, Mississippi, about 1430, and was destined for the Houma-Terrebonne Airport (HUM), near Houma, Louisiana. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the 1,200-hour pilot reported that he was flying at 1,500 msl, when he noticed "a gradual decrease in engine power." He switched the fuel tanks, checked the magnetos, applied carburetor heat, and checked the primer. The pilot stated that he checked the primary engine instruments and "all indicated normal operation." The pilot further reported that he "pumped the throttle, which appeared to make a positive difference." Subseqently, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power, and the pilot initiated a forced landing to a saturated field. Upon touchdown, the nose wheel sunk into the mud. the airplane nosed over, and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed structural damage to the engine firewall, tail section, and the upper wing. According to records provided by the FAA, the engine was last overhauled on April 20, 2003, and accumulated 304.2 hours since the overhaul. The engine total time was 6,214.2 hours since new. An examination and teardown of the engine was accomplished under the supervision of the FAA at a salvage yard located at Bogalusa Airport, Bogalusa, Louisiana, on February 12, 2004. During the examination, a large hole in the engine case was present under the #2 cylinder, and several small breaks in the were present on the top left of the case near the #2 and #4 cylinders. The #1 cylinder spark plug seat was cracked and showed evidence of impact damage was noted. A circular impression, corresponding to the end of the #1piston rod, was observed on the inside of the #1 spark plug seat. The #1 piston head was found totally disintegrated. Fragments of metal were found throughout the case. Exhaust and intake valves did not appear to be damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N111TK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N111TK), registered now, S/N 17257828, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172K - Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: L-33860-270 - Airframe hours: 15000 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Emerald Sky Powers - Registered owner: Betty R. Phillips - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 1, 2003, 50 hours before - Departed: HSA, Stennis Airport, MS - Destination: HUM, Houma -Terrebon, LA - Airport: LCH, Lake Charles Regional ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 1, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 500 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,700 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: LCH, 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 20031223034759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031223034759A), Dec 23, 2003: Cessna 172K, New Orleans, LA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was enroute from stennis, LA airport to homa, LA airport on December 23, 2004. The aircraft was straight and level flight at 1,500 ft. altitude… ## Other investigations on N111TK (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 CHI71DBJ25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71DBJ25), Aug 25, 1970: Cessna 172K (N111TK), Montague, MI, 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.