# NTSB SEA88LA071: Cessna 172XP, N736KG, Walla Walla, WA, April 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1988, 11:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Walla Walla, WA
- Coordinates: 46.110538, -118.30059 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1105&lon=-118.3006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40798
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40798/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA071

## 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, descent - normal
  - lubricating system,oil pressure pump - sheared (cause)
  - fluid,oil - no pressure (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - overtemperature
  - powerplant - smoke
- Forced landing, landing
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING DESCENT FOR LANDING THE PILOT NOTED A SURGE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA, ACCOMPANIED BY AN INCREASE IN RPM'S. BOTH THE OIL TEMPERATURE AND THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGES WERE READING ZERO. THE CYLINDER HEAD TEMPERATURE HAD REACHED 500 DEGREES AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE PILOT THEN SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. LANDING WAS ACCOMPLISHED ONTO A SOFT COW PASTURE. DURING LANDING ROLL THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER INVERTED. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED HEAT DAMAGE AND OVERSTRESS FRACTURES OF THE COMPONENTS EXAMINED. THE OIL PUMP DRIVE KEY WAS FOUND TO HAVE SHEARED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N736KG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N736KG-2011-11-15), registration cancelled 2011-11-15, S/N R1722583, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172XP
- Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1722583
- Airframe hours: 3076
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-K 195 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tom Acree, doing business as Mountain Air
- Registered owner: Tom Acree
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 1, 1988
- Departed: 8S4, ENTERPRISE, OR
- Destination: ALW, WALLA WALLA, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 91 total, 7 in this make and model, 63 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19880410062129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880410062129A), Apr 10, 1988: Cessna R172K, Walla Walla, WA, Substantial damage. Engine connecting rod and oil pump failure. Aircraft nosed over inverted during forced landing in soft field.

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.