# NTSB FTW92LA181: Cessna 120, N89970, Reserve, LA, July 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1992, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Reserve, LA
- Coordinates: 30.059207, -90.64035 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0592&lon=-90.6403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18533
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18533/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA181

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO THE VALVE FAILURE.  A 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(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE PASSING THROUGH 200 FEET AGL.  THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED IN A ROUGH OPEN FIELD AS THERE WAS NO OTHER SUITABLE TERRAIN.  INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE NO. 1 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE HAD SEPARATED AND THE STEM WAS INGESTED INTO THE ENGINE.  THE VALVE HEAD WAS FOUND IMBEDDED IN THE PISTON HEAD.  DUE TO THE LEVEL OF DAMAGE SUSTAINED BY THE VALVE PARTS, THE EXACT FAILURE MODE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89970](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89970-1996-02-23), registration cancelled 1996-02-23, S/N 9022 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 9088
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hicks, Timothy J.
- Registered owner: Hicks, Timothy J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 19, 1992, 60 hours before
- Departed: 0LA4
- Destination: 0LA4
- Airport: 0LA4, St. John, runway 18, 4,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 175 total, 54 in this make and model, 112 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSY, 20 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 19920719055279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920719055279A), Jul 19, 1992: Cessna 120, Reserve, LA, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Impact with rough terrain landing. Engine had swallowed a broken valve. Cracked NR1 piston.

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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