# NTSB LAX91LA353: Cessna 172B, N7910X, King City, CA, August 11, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1991, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: King City, CA
- Coordinates: 36.20087, -120.940162 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2009&lon=-120.9402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27324
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA353
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27324/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA353

## Probable cause

THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER IN CRUISE FLIGHT DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE, RESULTING IN A FORCED LANDING, AND SUBSEQUENT NOSE OVER ON LANDING ROLL OUT.

## 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, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS CONDUCTED TO A FIELD. ON LANDING ROLL OUT THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED HIGH VEGETATION AND NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE BY THE FAA REVEALED THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7910X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7910X-1991-09-17), registration cancelled 1991-09-17, S/N 17248410 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172B
- Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1724841D
- Airframe hours: 2548
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary C. Crowe
- Registered owner: Gary C. Crowe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 1990, 97 hours before
- Departed: 045, VACAVILLE, CA
- Destination: SZP, SANTA PAULA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 115 total, 55 in this make and model, 79 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910811033219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910811033219A), Aug 11, 1991: Cessna 172B, King City, CA, Substantial damage. Lost partial power. Landed in field with high vegetation and nosed over. NR3 exhaust valve failed.

## Other investigations on N7910X (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 UNK64X0171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0171), Jan 5, 1964: Cessna 172B (N7910X), Blythe, 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.

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