# NTSB FTW93LA074: Cessna 172M, N73405, Baytown, TX, January 23, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 23, 1993, 08:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Baytown, TX - Coordinates: 29.810472, -95.050773 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8105&lon=-95.0508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18689 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18689/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA074 ## Probable cause THE LOSS OF POWER DUE TO A STUCK EXHAUST VALVE IN THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - roll/run - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - frozen (cause) - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - abort - initiated, pilot in command - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command ## Analysis DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE PILOT RECOGNIZED THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT DEVELOPING FULL POWER. THE PILOT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, HOWEVER, HE FELT THAT THE AIRPLANE WOULD RUN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. GROUND SPEED AT THE TIME OF ABORT WAS 55 TO 60 KNOTS. HE INTENTIONALLY GROUND LOOPED THE AIRPLANE BY APPLYING FULL RUDDER. FOLLOWING THE GROUND LOOP THE AIRPLANE SLID INTO A DITCH. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A STUCK EXHAUST VALVE IN THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER ## Factual narrative On January 23, 1993, at approximately 0845 central standard time, a Cessna 172M, N73405, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff following the loss of engine power at the Baytown Airport, Baytown, Texas. Weather for the visual flight rules flight was visual meteorological conditions. The pilot sustained no injuries. Intercoastal Incorporated of Highlands, Texas, was the owner and operator. During an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration inspector the pilot reported the following information. During the takeoff on runway 31 the engine did not develop full power so he aborted the takeoff at approximately 55 to 60 knots. He felt he could not stop the airplane prior to reaching the end of the runway. His reaction was to ground loop the airplane by applying full left rudder. Following the ground loop, the airplane slid into a ditch. A detailed examination of the engine revealed that an exhaust valve in the number 3 cylinder was stuck. No other anomalies were found. The airplane was released to the owner. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N73405](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73405-2013-08-13), registration cancelled 2013-08-13, S/N 17267434, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17267434 - Airframe hours: 2160 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Intercoastal Inc. - Registered owner: Intercoastal Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 18, 1993, 6 hours before - Departed: HPY - Destination: HPY - Airport: HPY, Humphrey, runway 13, 3,994 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,010 total, 233 in this make and model, 2,854 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 6 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HOU, 30 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 19930123000779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930123000779A), Jan 23, 1993: Cessna 172M, Baytown, TX, Substantial damage. Reported low power on takeoff. Aborted. Unable stop on runway. Ground looped into ditch. Found stuck exhaust valve. ## Other investigations on N73405 (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 LAX98LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA135), Apr 11, 1998: Cessna 172M (N73405), Scottsdale, AZ, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his inadequate compensation for the wind condition. A contributing factor was the crosswind. 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.