# NTSB WPR19LA035: Cessna 172P, N98884, Santa Rita, December 2, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: December 2, 2018, 19:40 UTC
- Place: Santa Rita
- Coordinates: 13.419444, 144.63861 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=13.4194&lon=144.6386&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 (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 98725
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR19LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98725/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98725
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA035

## Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

## 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 172P, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072436), [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 (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 3,824 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 3,368 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 10,152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98884-2023-02-04), registration cancelled 2023-02-04, S/N 17276371, built 1985 (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: 17276371
- Year built: 1985
- Airframe hours: 9516
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; injuries: minor; 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

## 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 20181202024169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181202024169A), Dec 2, 2018: Cessna 172P, Santa Rita, GU, Substantial damage. N98884 Cessna departed gum VFR sightseeing tour. Approx 2340Z 10 mile west of airport on the shore line, aprrox 3 miles south of guam naval base. Pilot…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 7, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98725. 7.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 12 pages, 6.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8149343&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Engine examination observations from mechanic (item 2, PDF, 8 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8149428&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20examination%20from%20mechanic-Rel.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.

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