# NTSB WPR15CA091: Cessna 172N, N422BP, Makaha, HI, January 26, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 25, 2015, 18:11 local (Jan 26, 2015, 04:11 UTC) - Place: Makaha, HI - Coordinates: 21.468055, -158.312225 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.4681&lon=-158.3122&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-change of cruise level: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 21, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Avaiton Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 90655 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15CA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90655/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90655 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15CA091 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was ditched and not recovered. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-change of cruise level: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Ditching](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 186 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that about 40 minutes into the over water flight between islands, he requested a descent to 3,400 feet, which was approved by air traffic control. The pilot reduced the engine power to 2,000 rpm; however, the engine rpm dropped to 1,500. Actions by the pilot to restore engine power were unsuccessful. Following a successful water landing, the occupants exited the airplane and were rescued by the United States Coast Guard about 30 minutes later. The airplane subsequently sank and was not recovered. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that about 40 minutes into the over water flight between islands, he requested a descent to 3,400 feet, which was approved by air traffic control. The pilot reduced the engine power to 2,000 rpm; however, the engine rpm dropped to 1,500. Actions by the pilot to restore engine power were unsuccessful. Following a successful water landing, the occupants exited the airplane and were rescued by the United States Coast Guard about 30 minutes later. The airplane subsequently sank and was not recovered. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N422BP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N422BP-2018-03-14), registration cancelled 2018-03-14, S/N 17268917, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17268917 - Year built: 1977 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Reggie Perry, doing business as Barbers Point Flight School LLC - Registered owner: Reggie Perry - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: PAK, HANAPEPE, HI - Destination: JRF, KAPOLEI, HI - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: JRF, Kalaeloa (John Rodgers Field) ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 15, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 75 total, 72 in this make and model, 32 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 11 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: PHJR, 16 nm away ## 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 20150125001859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150125001859A), Jan 25, 2015: Cessna 172N, Kapolei, HI, Destroyed. The pilot stated the following: We were cruising at 4,500 ft. and started a decent to 3,500 ft., the aircraft was leaned out, put in the mixture and reduced… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 14, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90655. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 997 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425115&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Passenger Statement (item 2, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425116&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Audio - HFC Radio Transmissions (item 3, .PDF, 176 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425117&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Audio%20-%20HFC%20Radio%20Transmissions-Master.PDF - Fuel Receipt (item 4, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425118&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fuel%20Receipt-Redacted.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.