# NTSB LAX08LA128: Cessna 175A, N7059E, Rio Linda, CA, May 2, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 2, 2008, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Rio Linda, CA - Coordinates: 38.516666, -121.5 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5167&lon=-121.5000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 24, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67941 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08LA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67941/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA128 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power due to detonation. Contributing to the accident was trees in the landing area. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=2072504), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 175A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072504), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 175A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=2072504), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Cessna 175A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2072504), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 175A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072504), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 175A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072504), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot and owner of the airplane reported that during cruise flight, the engine partially lost power followed by several backfires. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude at the reduced power setting, and initiated a forced landing to a gravel road. During the landing roll on the gravel road, the left and right wings struck trees located on the edge of the road, resulting in structural damage to both wings. The owner of the airplane reported that during disassembly of the engine, the number four cylinder exhibited "signs of detonation." The number four piston head was "eaten away" to the top ring land. No additional anomalies were noted with the engine. The underlying reason for the detonation was undetermined. ## Factual narrative On May 2, 2008, about 1215 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 175A single-engine airplane, N7059E, made a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power near Rio Linda, California. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot and passenger/owner of the airplane were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from Rio Linda about 35 minutes prior to the accident with an intended destination of Medford, Oregon. The owner of the airplane reported that he had recently purchased the airplane, and was moving the airplane to his home field. The pilot and owner departed from Rio Linda and climbed to an altitude of 1,500 feet mean sea level (msl). About 20 to 30 minutes after departure, the engine began losing power followed by several backfires. The pilot reported that he observed blue smoke originating from the engine cowling, and noted that the engine revolutions per minute (rpm) was reduced to about 1,500 to 2,000 rpm. The pilot stated that he was unable to maintain altitude at the reduced power setting, and initiated a forced landing to a gravel road. During the landing roll, the left and right wings struck trees located on the edge of the gravel road. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed that the left and right wings were structurally damaged. During a telephone conversation, the owner of the airplane reported that during disassembly of the engine, the number four cylinder exhibited "signs of detonation." The number four piston head was "eaten away" to the top ring land. No additional anomalies were noted with the engine. The reason for the detonation was undetermined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7059E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7059E), registered now, S/N 56559 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 175A - Registry model: [Cessna 175A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175a) (registry code 2072504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 56559 - Airframe hours: 1947.5 - Engines: Continental O-300 175 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2008, 0.5 hours before - Departed: L36, Rio Linda, CA - Destination: WLW, Willows, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 147 total, 1 in this make and model, 83 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KSMF, 11 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 20080502832929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080502832929A), May 2, 2008: Cessna 175A, Sacramento, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft departed from rio linda airport enroute to Oregon. Climbed to approximately 1600 feet and the engine began running rough and RPM started to… ## Other investigations on N7059E (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 OAK76DVG36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76DVG36), Dec 18, 1975: Cessna 175A (N7059E), Fair Oaks, CA, substantial damage 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.