# NTSB LAX06LA232: Cessna R172K II, N1209V, Hagatna, July 15, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 15, 2006, 18:10 UTC - Place: Hagatna - Coordinates: 13.483333, 144.800003 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=13.4833&lon=144.8000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 64121 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06LA232 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64121/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA232 ## Probable cause The failure of the number four connecting rod during takeoff-initial climb. ## 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,connecting rod - separation (cause) - Ditching, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The airplane was climbing through 1,500 feet when the engine began to run rough. The pilot tried to smooth it out using the mixture; however, its condition worsened, and it stopped producing power altogether. The pilot could not glide to shore, and he ditched in a nearby bay. Examination of the engine revealed a hole in the top of the case at the number four cylinder. The number four connecting rod fractured and separated. After being in the salt water, the engine had corroded and could not be further disassembled. Moreover, the corrosion obscured the connecting rod fracture faces. Review of the maintenance records found that the engine had flown 1,500 hours past the manufacturer's recommended time between overhaul. ## Factual narrative On July 15, 2006, about 1810 coordinated universal time, a pilot ditched a Cessna R172K II, N1209V, near Hagatna, Guam. Micronesia Aviation Systems, Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The certificated commercial pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The local sight seeing flight departed Guam International Airport in Hagatna about 1805. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported to the Federal Aviation Administration that the airplane was climbing through 1,500 feet. The engine began to run rough, and he tried to smooth it out using the mixture. It began sputtering as he tried to return to the airport for a landing on runway 06L. However, it's condition worsened, and then the engine quit producing power. He ditched in a nearby bay. A Federal Aviation Inspector supervised examination of the airframe and engine. The airplane sustained damage to the firewall where the engine cradle attaches to the airframe. The cradle tweaked to the right, wrinkling the airframe just a little aft of the firewall. He observed a hole in the top of the case at the number four cylinder. He noted that the number four connecting rod fractured and separated. After being in the salt water, he reported that the engine had corroded and could not be further disassembled. The engine had been flown 1,500 hours past the manufacturer's recommended time between overhaul. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1209V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1209V-2006-08-24), registration cancelled 2006-08-24, S/N R1722140, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna R172K II - Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R1722140 - Airframe hours: 9029 - Engines: Continental IO-360-B1B 195 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: MICRONESIAN AVIATION SYSTEMs, INC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: GUM, Hagatna - Destination: GUM, Hatagna - Airport: GUM, Guam International ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; last flight review November 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 3,814 total, 3,814 in this make and model, 113 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 11 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: GUM 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.