# NTSB NYC89LA082: Cessna R172K, N758PW, Ballston Spa, NY, February 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1989, 17:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Ballston Spa, NY
- Coordinates: 43.000747, -73.850402 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0007&lon=-73.8504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36377
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36377/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA082

## Probable cause

WORN CONNECTING ROD BEARING(S), AND FAILURE OF THE #1 CONNECTING ROD. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING.

## 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, descent - normal
  - engine assembly,bearing - worn (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE CESSNA R172K WAS IN A SLOW DESCENT OUT OF 2500 FT MSL, WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALY DAMAGED. A TEAR DOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A BROKEN #1 CONNECTING ROD AND SEVERAL WORN CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N758PW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N758PW-1992-02-06), registration cancelled 1992-02-06, S/N R1723261 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA R172K
- Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1723261
- Airframe hours: 1804
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-KB 195 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael Chris/Sean Farrell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1987, 44 hours before
- Departed: SCH, SCOTIA, NY
- Destination: 5B2, BALLSTON SPA, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,800 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 6,630 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 19 °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 19890210002549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890210002549A), Feb 10, 1989: Cessna R172K, Saratoga Spring, NY, Substantial damage. Engine quit on approach to airport. Crash landed in a field. Connecting rod broken. Had prior oil pressure loss.

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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