# NTSB WPR11LA311: Cessna R182, N7392X, Hesperia, CA, July 6, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 5, 2011, 19:00 local (Jul 6, 2011, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Hesperia, CA - Coordinates: 34.666667, -117.300003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6667&lon=-117.3000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81002 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11LA311 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81002/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81002 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA311 ## Probable cause The separation of the end baffle cone inside the muffler, which blocked airflow through the engine after takeoff and resulted in a loss of engine power and an off-airport landing into obstacles. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine exhaust: noise suppressor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057820): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057820/cases.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057820/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna R182, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane's engine stopped making sufficient power to maintain a climb, so the pilot decided to turn back toward the airport. However, after he flew into a valley, he realized that the airplane would not make it back to the airport. After seeing power lines along the airplane's flightpath, he turned the airplane toward an open field. The airplane subsequently hit the ground hard and then hit a tree, which separated the right wing from the airframe. During the postaccident engine examination, the muffler was disassembled. One internal baffle cone was found separated from the end plate and was blocking the opening of the muffler. Upon shaking the muffler, the baffle cone was free to move around within the muffler assembly. The other baffle cone had a hole eroded in its center. Internal engine failures can cause partial or complete engine power loss by restricting the flow of the exhaust gases. If pieces of the internal baffling break loose and partially or totally block the flow of exhaust gases, an engine failure can occur. It is likely the exhaust gas was partially or totally blocked by the separated baffle cone during the flight, which resulted in a loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative The FAA Publication Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook – Powerplant, Volume 1, Chapter 3, describes induction and exhaust systems. One section of that chapter discusses internal muffler failures. It states that internal failures (baffles, diffusers, etc.) can cause partial or complete engine power loss by restricting the flow of the exhaust gases. If pieces of the internal baffling break loose and partially or totally block the flow of exhaust gases, engine failure can occur. On July 5, 2011, about 1900 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna R182, N7392X, collided with a tree during an off airport forced landing following a loss of engine power during climb to cruise altitude after takeoff from Hesperia, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage from impact forces. The personal cross-country flight departed Hesperia about 1855 with a planned destination of Adelanto, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated that he had flown to Hesperia from Adelanto earlier that evening, and purchased about 29 gallons of fuel. During the climb to cruise, the airplane was unable to climb, and the pilot turned back toward the airport. He flew into a valley, and realized that the airplane would not make it back to the airport. He saw power lines in his flight path, and turned toward an open field. The airplane hit the ground hard, and then a tree, which separated the right wing from the airframe. Fuel spray from the wing set a car on fire. The airplane spun around, and came to rest with the nose on the ground, and the left wing and tail resting against a house. Investigators examined the wreckage at Aircraft Recovery Service, Littlerock, California, on July 14, 2011. A detailed report is part of the public docket for this accident. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Investigators disassembled the muffler, and noted that one cone-shaped baffle had separated from the end plate, and was blocking the end opening of the muffler. Upon shaking the muffler, the cone was free to move around within the muffler assembly. The other cone had a hole eroded in its center. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7392X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7392X-2017-10-31), registration cancelled 2017-10-31, S/N R18200096, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA R182 - Registry model: [Cessna R182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r182) (registry code 2072734) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R18200096 - Airframe hours: 4159 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3C5D 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Chris E Waggener - Registered owner: Chris E Waggener - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 10, 2011 - Departed: L26, Hesperia, CA - Destination: 52CL, Adelanto, CA - Airport: L26, Hesperia, runway 21, 3,900 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 21, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 636 total, 13 in this make and model, 644 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KVCV ## 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 20110705013719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110705013719A), Jul 5, 2011: Cessna R182, Hesperia, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft departed Hesperia Airport (L26) going to adelanto, CA. During climb out, the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power and was forced to land… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 1, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81002. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 551 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408208&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA AMT Powerplants Excerpts (item 2, .PDF, 912 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408908&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20AMT%20Powerplants%20Excerpts-Master.PDF - NTSB Airframe and Engine Exam Notes (item 3, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408916&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Exam%20Notes-Master.PDF 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.