# NTSB GAA15CA161: Cessna 172S, N740SP, Galesburg, IL, June 10, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 10, 2015, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Galesburg, IL
- Coordinates: 40.944168, -90.430274 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9442&lon=-90.4303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Unknown: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 12, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: Springfield FSDO (FAA)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91510
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91510/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91510
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA161

## Probable cause

Firewall damage reported by maintenance personnel that occurred during an unknown phase of flight, because the accident flight and pilot could not be determined.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072439), [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.

- [Unknown: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During a 50 hour maintenance inspection, an airframe and power plant mechanic discovered that the airplane's firewall was substantially damaged. The operator was not able to determine when the accident flight occurred or the pilot responsible. The airplane's last maintenance inspection occurred about three months prior to the discovery. Numerous pilots flew the airplane during that period, none of which reported an event that would result in damage to the airplane.

## Factual narrative

During a 50 hour maintenance inspection, an airframe and power plant mechanic discovered that the airplane's firewall was substantially damaged. The operator was not able to determine when the accident flight occurred or the pilot responsible. The airplane's last maintenance inspection occurred about three months prior to the discovery. Numerous pilots flew the airplane during that period, none of which reported an event that would result in damage to the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N740SP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N740SP), registered now, S/N 172S8671, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172S (S)
- Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172S8671
- Year built: 2000
- Airframe hours: 4919.4
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Jet Air Inc
- Registered owner: Jet Air Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 13, 2015
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Equipment: Auto-pilot

## Weather

- Conditions: Not reported
- Icing: Unknown
- Turbulence: Unknown

## 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 20150610008689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150610008689A), Jun 10, 2015: Cessna 172S, Galesburg, IL, Substantial damage. The jet air aircraft came in June 10, 2015 from burlington, IA for a 50 hr. Inspection at the Galesburg airport. Upon inspecting the engine, it was noted that…

## Other investigations on N740SP (2)

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 ERA25LA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA148), Mar 9, 2025: Cessna 172 (N740SP), Brooksville, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and substantial damage to the airplane’s fuselage.
- [NTSB ERA13CA371](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA371), Aug 22, 2013: Cessna 172S (N740SP), Manassas, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 3, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91510. 1.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 387 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430224&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 – Airplane Firewall (Courtesy of Operator) (item 2, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430225&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Airplane%20Firewall%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-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.

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