# NTSB NYC91LA059: Cessna 172P, N62960, Charleston, WV, January 15, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 15, 1991, 10:49 local (15:49 UTC)
- Place: Charleston, WV
- Coordinates: 38.350524, -81.629737 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3505&lon=-81.6297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36866
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36866/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA059

## Probable cause

TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER IN CRUISE FLIGHT DUE TO FAILURE OF THE ACCESSORY DRIVE GEAR DOWEL PIN RESULTING IN A FORCED LANDING OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN AND SUBSEQUENT NOSE OVER ON LANDING ROLL. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPER PROCEDURE USED DURING ENGINE OVERHAUL.

## 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
  - accessory drive assy,drive gear - sheared (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - facility,inadequate manuals/directives, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear strut - overload
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON A LOCAL FAMILIARIZATION FLIGHT WHEN HE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER.  HE MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD SOFTENED BY RECENT RAIN.  UPON TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE WHEEL DUG IN AND THE AIRPLANE FLIPPED OVER.  POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE DOWEL PIN FOR THE ACCESSORY DRIVE GEAR HAD SHEARED.  ACCORDING TO THE ENGINE OVERHAUL RECORDS THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT LYCOMING SB 475, OR SI 1179D, ITS PREDECESSOR HAD BEEN COMPLIED WITH. EXAMINATION OF THE FORMS USED IN THE ENGINE OVERHAUL SHOP FAILED TO FIND A LISTING OF SB 475 OR SI 1179D AS AN ITEM TO BE CHECKED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62960](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N62960), registered now, S/N 17275368, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75368
- Airframe hours: 3206
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Executive Air Terminal
- Registered owner: Executive Air Terminal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 1990, 81 hours before
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 809 total, 152 in this make and model, 575 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910115000559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910115000559A), Jan 15, 1991: Cessna 172P, Charleston, WV, Substantial damage. Lost power local flight. Nosed over landing in soft field. Accessory gear dowel pin sheared. Service b not complied

## Other investigations on N62960 (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 DFW07CA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA115), May 16, 2007: Cessna 172P (N62960), Harrah, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to compensate for the existing wind conditons while landing. A factor was the crosswind.

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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