# NTSB LAX97LA242: Cessna 180K, N2914K, Lake Mead, NV, July 15, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 15, 1997, 15:20 local (22:20 UTC) - Place: Lake Mead, NV - Coordinates: 36.239208, -115.03083 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2392&lon=-115.0308&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29836 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA242 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29836/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA242 ## Probable cause Failure of the number 4 piston for undetermined reasons. ## 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, climb - to cruise - engine assembly,piston - failure (contributing factor) - reason for occurrence undetermined - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis The pilot reported that while climbing to cruise flight he heard a bang from the engine, followed by a major vibration. The engine continued vibrating and he was unable to maintain altitude, so he pulled the aircraft into a stall to stop and feather the propeller. He stated that he attempted to land in a parking lot, but came in too high and too fast. He touched down on a road and collided with a berm. A FAA inspector examined the aircraft and noted two holes in the engine case above the forward cylinder's connecting rods. Further examination of the powerplant revealed that the Nos. 2 and 6 cylinders were intact. Neither piston displayed any sign of heat discoloration around the skirts. Combustion deposits were noted on the piston crowns. There was no staining or piston crown edge erosion. Both skirts were failed. The No. 4 cylinder piston was disintegrated around the pin. The piston rod was bent and the piston pin was still intact through the rod wrist. Neither the rod nor the pin displayed any indication of heat distress. There was no scoring noted inside the cylinder barrel. The No. 4 bottom sparkplug was fouled with metal. The sump contained oil and large chunks of pistons. The pilot reported that the Continental O-470-U engine had 2536.1 hours of total time, 75.2 hours since the last inspection, and 806.8 hours since the last overhaul. The maintenance records revealed that the six pistons, each with a Superior Air Parts, Inc., part number SA 648029, were installed during the last major engine overhaul on February 19, 1990. ## Factual narrative On July 15, 1997, about 1520 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 180K, N2914K, collided with terrain during a forced landing at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Lake Mead, Nevada, after a loss of engine power. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the certificated private pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was being operated as a business flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot/owner when the accident occurred. The flight originated from the Boulder City Airport, Boulder City, Nevada, at an unspecified time, and was destined for Spanish Fork, Utah. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he had been flying over Lake Mead, about 3,500 feet msl, and was climbing slightly to remain underneath the inbound traffic to McCarran International Airport (Las Vegas). He stated that he heard a "bang" from the engine, followed by a "major vibration." He reversed direction to head back to Boulder City. The pilot reported that the engine continued vibrating and he was unable to maintain altitude, so he pulled the aircraft into a stall to stop and feather the propeller. He stated that he attempted to land in a parking lot, but came in too high and too fast. He touched down on a dirt road. The road curved to the right and the aircraft continued off the road and onto the beach approximately 400 feet. The pilot stated that he was approaching a large berm with excessive speed. He pulled back and was able to get enough lift to hit the berm with only the aircraft belly. The aircraft bounced and came to a stop on the opposite side of the berm. The landing gear was sheared. The airplane was examined by the Federal Aviation Administration and two holes were found in the engine case above the forward cylinder's connecting rods. Further examination of the powerplant revealed that the Nos. 2 and 6 cylinders were intact. Neither piston displayed any sign of heat discoloration around the skirts. Combustion deposits were noted on the piston crowns. There was no staining or piston crown edge erosion. Both skirts were failed. Inspection of the No. 4 cylinder revealed that the piston was disintegrated around the pin. The piston rod was bent and the piston pin was still intact through the rod wrist. Neither the rod nor the pin displayed any indication of heat distress. There was no scoring noted inside the cylinder barrel. The No. 4 bottom sparkplug was fouled with metal. The sump contained oil and large chunks of pistons. The pilot reported that at the time of the accident, the aircraft engine, Continental O-470-U, had 2536.1 hours of total time, 75.2 hours since the last inspection, and 806.8 hours since the last overhaul. The maintenance records revealed that the six pistons, each with a Superior Air Parts, Inc., part number SA 648029, were installed during the last major engine overhaul on February 19, 1990. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2914K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2914K), registered now, S/N 18053127 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180K - Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18053127 - Engines: Continental O-470U 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Goodfellow, Lynn U - Registered owner: Goodfellow Sales Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 26, 1996, 75 hours before - Departed: 61B, BOULDER CITY, NV - Destination: U77, SPANISH FORK, UT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,792 total, 3,692 in this make and model, 3,792 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 11 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 22,000 ft broken - Temperature: 106 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LAS, 25 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 19970715018629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970715018629A), Jul 15, 1997: Cessna 180K, Hemingway Beach, NV, Substantial damage. Aircraft experienced engine failure shortly after departure and landed on Beach. 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.