# NTSB SEA00LA177: Cessna 172P, N531PC, Auburn, WA, September 3, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 2000, 00:00 local (07:00 UTC)
- Place: Auburn, WA
- Coordinates: 47.309188, -122.220588 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3092&lon=-122.2206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 18, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 51330
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51330/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA177

## Probable cause

Damage to aircraft under unknown circumstances.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Miscellaneous/other, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

The owner/operator of the rental aircraft reported that during a routine maintenance inspection, the structure of the aircraft was found damaged.  The operator does not know when or by which pilot damaged the aircraft.

## Factual narrative

On or about September 3, 2000, at an unknown time, a Cessna 172P, N531PC, registered to and operated by Auburn Flight Service, was substantially damaged at an unknown location, and by an unknown pilot.  The Chief Flight Instructor from the operator reported that the aircraft is used for rental purposes and has flown 99 hours since the last maintenance inspection dated July 25, 2000.  On about September 4 or 5, 2000, a pilot reported that during the pre-flight inspection, he noted wrinkles in the skin on a wing.  A mechanic looked at the aircraft and reported that it was okay for flight.  On September 7, 2000, the aircraft went in for the scheduled 100-hour inspection.

During the maintenance inspection, maintenance personnel reported that three ribs in the left wing were buckled, the spar was damaged, and the upper and lower skin sections were buckled and oil canned.  The cabin top assembly skin was buckled and wrinkled.  The horizontal stabilizer forward spar and reinforcement were severely buckled and cracked in the center section.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N531PC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N531PC), registered now, S/N 17274698, 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: 17274698
- Airframe hours: 2461
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Auburn Flight Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 25, 2000, 99 hours before
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Not reported

## Other investigations on N531PC (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 SEA99LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA101), Jul 3, 1999: Cessna 172P (N531PC), Auburn, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Total mechanical failure of the hydraulic tappet. A factor was an overdue major overhaul per manufacturer's recommendations.

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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