# NTSB LAX92LA244: Cessna 172, N8014L, Blythe, CA, June 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1992, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Blythe, CA
- Coordinates: 33.749698, -114.51007 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7497&lon=-114.5101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27646
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27646/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA244

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER ENGINE OVERHAUL PERFORMED BY THE MECHANIC.  FACTORS RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST VALVE LEAKS AND THE SOFT TERRAIN.

## 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, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - leak (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - leak (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,overhaul - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE QUIT WHILE ON THE DOWNWIND LEG.  THE AIRPLANE'S ALTITUDE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO NEGOTIATE THE RUNWAY AND THE PILOT LANDED IN THE ADJACENT SOFT TERRAIN.  ON TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE WHEEL SUNK INTO THE SOFT TERRAIN AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE ENGINE WAS RECENTLY OVERHAULED. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DISCLOSED THAT THE NOS. 2 & 4 CYLINDERS EXHIBITED NO COMPRESSION. FURTHER EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE CYLINDERS VALVES WOULD NOT FIT THEIR RESPECTIVE VALVE SEATS. THE VALVE SEATS WERE ALSO BROUND TOO DEEP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8014L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8014L-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 17256214, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17256214
- Airframe hours: 2595
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kellison, Norman L. & Virginia
- Registered owner: Kellison, Norman L. & Virginia
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 1991, 20 hours before
- Departed: P06, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °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 19920613019969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920613019969A), Jun 13, 1992: Cessna 172H, Blythe, CA, Substantial damage. Engine seized on downwind for landing. Nosed over landing short. Engine low compression improper cylinder repair.

## Other investigations on N8014L (3)

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 LAX77FUJ92](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77FUJ92), Aug 27, 1977: Cessna 172 (N8014L), Wickenburg, AZ, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN68D0116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN68D0116), Oct 17, 1967: Cessna 172 (N8014L), Gallup, NM, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX68D0017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX68D0017), Jun 5, 1967: Cessna 172 (N8014L), Phoenix, AZ, 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.