# NTSB LAX02LA136: Cessna 172, N211CA, Lake Los Angele, CA, April 15, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 14, 2002, 20:45 local (Apr 15, 2002, 03:45 UTC) - Place: Lake Los Angele, CA - Coordinates: 34.629444, -118.084442 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6294&lon=-118.0844&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54514 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54514/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54514 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA136 ## Probable cause a reconditioned engine cylinder barrel failure due to previous rust damage and improper maintenance practices. ## 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, cruise - engine assembly,cylinder - fatigue (cause) - engine assembly,cylinder - fractured (cause) - engine assembly,cylinder - separation (cause) - maintenance,top overhaul - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis An engine cylinder barrel failure occurred during cruise flight and the airplane force landed in unsuitable terrain causing substantial damage. The failed cylinder had been repaired by a Federal Aviation Administration Approved Repair Station, and had been installed 11 hours prior to the accident. Post accident examination revealed that the number 3 engine cylinder steel barrel had separated 360 degrees around its circumference. Close examination of the failed cylinder barrel revealed fatigue cracking originating from a rusty area on the cylinder barrel. Additionally, cooling fin rust damage had the appearance of having been profiled by filing or grinding. ## Factual narrative On April 14, 2002, about 2045 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172, N211CA, lost engine power and collided with the ground during an off airport forced landing at Lake Los Angeles, California. First Class Air Service, Van Nuys, California, operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and passenger both received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the departure point for the personal flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated at Apple Valley, California, about 2030, and was destined for Van Nuys. Post accident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 3 engine cylinder steel barrel had separated 360 degrees around its circumference. Examination of maintenance records revealed replacement of the No. 3 cylinder and piston rings on March 24, 2002, at 3,930.36 recording tachometer hours. A Federal Aviation Administration Approved Repair Station had repaired the cylinder. The tachometer time at the accident site was 3,941.62. Close examination of the failed cylinder barrel revealed fatigue cracking originating from a rusty area on the cylinder barrel. Additionally, cooling fin rust damage had the appearance of having been profiled by filing or grinding. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N211CA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N211CA-2014-07-08), registration cancelled 2014-07-08, S/N 17256543 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172I](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172i) (registry code 2072426) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17256543 - Airframe hours: 3941 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Frank N. Surfas - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 22, 2001, 78 hours before - Departed: APV, Apple Valley, CA - Destination: VNY, Van Nuys, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total, 30 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: PMD, 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 20020414006039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020414006039A), Apr 14, 2002: Cessna 172I, Palmdale, CA, Destroyed. (.19) On April 14, 2002, about 2045 pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172, N211CA, collided with the ground during an off airport forced landing at lake los… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 19, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54514. 44 KB in all. - Cylinder Overhaul Receipt (item 1, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417559&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Cylinder%20Overhaul%20Receipt-Redacted.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. --- 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.