# NTSB LAX04LA124: Cessna 172N, N5107K, Upland, CA, February 13, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 13, 2004, 15:40 local (23:40 UTC) - Place: Upland, CA - Coordinates: 34.111389, -117.687774 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1114&lon=-117.6878&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58766 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04LA124 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58766/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA124 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined, unknown (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Overrun, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - vehicle - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis The engine lost partial power just after the airplane lifted off the runway and the pilot aborted the takeoff and attempted to land on the remaining runway. The airplane touched down on the runway, overran its departure end, impacted a flatbed trailer, and came to rest on uneven terrain against a berm about 43 yards from the runway. The pilot reported that the airplane appeared to have been in proper working condition and worthy of flight during his preflight and pretakeoff inspections. However, after climbing for several seconds he heard the engine lose power, and its tachometer decreased to 1,400 rpm. The pilot believed that the airplane was not going to continue flying so he elected to abort the takeoff. To ascertain the reason for the power loss, the accident airplane's engine was removed from the airplane and installed on another airframe. After removing and replacing several impact-damaged engine accessories/components, the engine was run up to 2,400 rpm. With the exception of a minor vibration due to the fact that the crankshaft was bent, the engine operated normally. The reason for the partial engine power loss, as reported by the pilot, was not ascertained. ## Factual narrative On February 13, 2004, about 1540 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172N, N5107K, experienced a partial loss of engine power during takeoff from runway 24 at the Cable Airport, Upland, California. The pilot aborted the takeoff and attempted to stop on the available runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage when it overran the runway's departure end, impacted a flatbed trailer, and came to rest on uneven terrain against a berm about 43 yards from the runway. Cable Air, Inc., operated the airplane. The private pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries; the second passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local area personal flight. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it was originating at the time of the mishap. In the pilot's completed "Aircraft Accident Report," NTSB Form 6120.1/2, he indicated that prior to taking off he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane. He performed a runup and determined that the airplane was in proper working condition and worthy of flight. During the takeoff roll, the pilot again observed that the engine instruments were still "looking good." However, after climbing for several seconds the pilot heard the engine lose power. According to the pilot, he observed that the engine's tachometer had decreased to 1,400 rpm, and he opined that the airplane was not going to continue flying. Therefore, he aborted the climb and lowered the wing flaps. Cable Airport management personnel verbally reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that skid marks were noted on the departure end of the runway leading to the accident airplane. There were about 156 feet of skid marks on the runway, which led to 128 feet of skid-like marks in the dirt. Under the direction of the Safety Board investigator, the airplane was recovered from the accident site and was examined under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) supervision. In summary, the FAA inspector reported that on February 17, the accident airplane's engine was removed from N5107K, and it was installed on another Cessna 172 airframe that was awaiting an engine overhaul. After removing and replacing several impact-damaged components, the engine was run up to 2,400 rpm. With the exception of a minor vibration due to the fact that the crankshaft was bent, the engine operated normally. The reason for the partial engine power loss, as reported by the pilot, was not ascertained. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5107K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5107K-2018-11-17), registration cancelled 2018-11-17, S/N 17273972, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17273972 - Airframe hours: 14453 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Cable Air, Inc. - Registered owner: Janette J. Cable, Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 5, 2004 - Departed: CCB, Upland, CA - Destination: CCB - Airport: CCB, Cable, runway 24, 3,865 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 217 in this make and model, 186 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 10 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: POC, 5 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 20040213002039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040213002039A), Feb 13, 2004: Cessna 172N, Upland, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot elected to abort the takeoff process when he determined the engine lost power at about 50 ft. and 2/3 distance down runway. Pilot extended full… 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.