# NTSB FTW83LA077: Cessna 172RG, N5276U, San Angelo, TX, January 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 6, 1983, 09:48 local (15:48 UTC)
- Place: San Angelo, TX
- Location: 31.4638° N, 100.4370° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of San Angelo, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4638&lon=-100.4370&mi=10
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20784
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20784/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA077

## 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
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing
- Nose over
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD REACHED AN ALT OF 3500 FT MSL WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO LOSE POWER. THE PILOT TURNED BACK TOWARD HIS DEPARTURE AIRPORT. THE ENGINE THEN LOST ALL POWER AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND IN A PLOWED FIELD WITH LANDING GEAR DOWN. WHEN THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN IT NOSED OVER. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ANGLE REVEALED A FAILED VALVE WHICH HAD PENETRATEDA ROCKER BOX COVER ON A CYLINDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5276U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5276U-2018-01-04), registration cancelled 2018-01-04, S/N 172RG0319, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0319
- Airframe hours: 990
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-K 195 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: John M. Hetland
- Registered owner: Skylark Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 1982
- Destination: BBD, BRADY, TX
- Airport: SJT, San Angelo

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,360 total, 39 in this make and model, 2,240 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19830106000489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830106000489A), Jan 6, 1983: Cessna 172RG, San Angelo, TX, Destroyed. Engine failed. Elected to land gear down in a plowed field. Flipped over. Failed valve went through a rocker cover.

## Other investigations on N5276U (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 ERA14LA374](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA374), Aug 1, 2014: Cessna 172 (N5276U), Apalachicola, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination and testing.

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.