# NTSB NYC04LA211: Cessna 172M, N172WW, Medina, OH, September 10, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 10, 2004, 11:50 local (15:50 UTC) - Place: Medina, OH - Coordinates: 41.131389, -81.764724 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1314&lon=-81.7647&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60117 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA211 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60117/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA211 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power due to inadequate maintenance and by failure to comply with service instruction for low engine compression. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - roll/run - maintenance - inadequate (cause) - engine assembly,cylinder - low compression (cause) - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not performed - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - object - fence - Nose over, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis During the takeoff roll, as the pilot rotated at 60 knots, he felt the airplane was "slow to lift," and aborted the takeoff. He reduced the power to idle and applied the brakes; however, the airplane traveled off the end of the runway, impacted a fence, and nosed over in a ditch. Examination of the Lycoming engine revealed low compression in the number 3 cylinder, due to a fractured cylinder ring. The last 100-hour inspection was performed approximately 3 weeks prior to the accident, and the airplane had flown 1 hour since then. The entry for the inspection revealed a compression check of the number 3 cylinder resulted in a reading of 55/80 psi. According to 14 CFR Part 43 Appendix D, "Each person shall inspect components of the engine and nacelle as follows...Internal engine - for cylinder compression...If there is a weak cylinder compression, [inspect] for improper internal condition and improper internal tolerances." Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1191A, stated in part, "Pressure readings for all cylinders should be nearly equal...a difference of 10 to 15 psi indicates an investigation should be made...if the pressure reading for cylinders is below 60 psi...removal and overhaul of the cylinders should be considered." ## Factual narrative On September 10, 2004, at 1150 eastern daylight time, N172WW, a Cessna 172M, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff at the Medina Municipal Airport (1G5), Medina, Ohio. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to perform three takeoffs and landings to maintain his 90-day currency to carry passengers. He completed three takeoffs and landings from runway 01 without incident, and then decided to perform one more. During the fourth takeoff, as the pilot rotated at 60 knots, he felt the airplane was "slow to lift." The pilot decided the airplane would not make it over the roadway and wires at the end of the runway, and he aborted the takeoff. He reduced the power to idle, applied the brakes, and used 40 degrees of flaps; however, the airplane traveled off the end of the runway, impacted a fence, and nosed over in a ditch. A witness, who was on the taxiway located at the departure end of runway 01, heard a change of engine power during the airplane's takeoff roll, followed by the sound of tires "squelling on the pavement." He then observed the airplane travel off the end of runway 01 and impact a fence. Examination of the Lycoming engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, after the accident, revealed low compression (34/80) in the number 3 cylinder. The cylinder was then removed from the engine and further examination revealed that a cylinder ring was fractured. According to the engine logbook, the last 100-hour inspection was performed on August 20, 2004. The entry for the inspection revealed a compression check of the number 3 cylinder resulted in a reading of 55/80 psi. The number 1, 2, and 4 compression check values were 66/80, 70/80, and 62/80, respectively. The airplane had flown approximately 1 hour since the annual inspection. According to 14 CFR Part 43 Appendix D, Scope and Detail of Items to be Included in Annual and 100-hour Inspections, "Each person shall inspect components of the engine and nacelle as follows...Internal engine - for cylinder compression...If there is a weak cylinder compression, [inspect] for improper internal condition and improper internal tolerances." Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1191A, Cylinder Compression, stated in part, "Pressure readings for all cylinders should be nearly equal...a difference of 10 to 15 psi indicates an investigation should be made...if the pressure reading for cylinders is below 60 psi...removal and overhaul of the cylinders should be considered." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N172WW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N172WW), registered now, S/N 17267445, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17267445 - Airframe hours: 3350 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William Svec - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2004, 1 hours before - Departed: 1G5, Medina, OH - Destination: 1G5 - Airport: 1G5, Medina Municipal Airport, runway 01, 2,867 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 241 total, 139 in this make and model, 241 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: AKR, 15 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 20040910026039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040910026039A), Sep 10, 2004: Cessna 172M, Medina, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot said the engine was not making enough power, aborted the take off and did not have enough room to stop aircraft. 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.