- Date
- December 2, 2018, 19:40 UTC
- Place
- Santa Rita
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N98884Cessna 172P
- Defining event
- Enroute-change of cruise level: Loss of engine power (total)
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class
- Class 3
- NTSB office
- Western Pacific Region
- Parties
- Federal Aviation Administration
- FAA report
- 20181202024169A
- Case key
- 98725
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Findings · 1
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot reported that the run-up and takeoff were normal. The airplane was at about 2,500 ft mean sea level when the pilot heard a reduction in engine power before it abruptly lost power. The pilot initiated a forced landing onto an abandoned runway; it exited the end of the runway and impacted vegetation before coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings. Postaccident airframe and engine examination revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Factual narrative
On December 2, 2018, about 1940 universal coordinated time, a Cessna 172P, N98884, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Santa Rita, Guam. The commercial pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he conducted a standard preflight inspection and that the run-up and takeoff were normal. The pilot flew around the island and circled a nearby harbor at about 1,500 ft mean sea level before initiating a climb. The airplane was at about 2,500 ft when the pilot heard an obvious reduction in engine power. The rpm gauge decreased from about 2,500 rpm to 1,800 rpm before it abruptly lost power. There were no abnormal noises or visible leaks before the loss of power. The pilot initiated a forced landing onto an abandoned runway. The airplane landed long; it exited the end of the runway and impacted vegetation before coming to a rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings. Postaccident airframe and engine examination revealed no anomalies. The spark plugs were removed and exhibited wear consistent with normal operation. The propeller was rotated by hand, and drivetrain continuity was established to the accessory section. Thumb compression was established on all cylinders, and spark was observed on the spark plug leads. The fuel lines were examined and appeared normal; no blockages were noted.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N98884
- Reported as
- Cessna 172P
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17276371
- Built
- 1985
- Airframe hours
- 9,516
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-D2J, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Trend Vector Aviation International Inc
- Registered owner
- Trend Vector Aviation International Inc
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · October 29, 2018 · 61 hours before
- Departed
- PGUM · Tamuning, OF
- Destination
- PGUM · Tamuning, OF
- Equipment
- Unknown
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 29
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 1, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- April 15, 2017
- Seat
- Left
- Restraint
- 3-point
- Flight hours
- 714 total · 58 in this make and model · 555 as pilot in command · 28 in the last 90 days · 2 in the last 30 days · 0 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 70° at 11 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 82 °F, dew point 81 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.90 inHg
- Observed at
- GUM, 8 nm away
Docket · 2
The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 7, 2022, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 7.7 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.