# NTSB WPR19LA226: Cessna 177RG, N1828Q, Fall City, WA, July 27, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 26, 2019, 19:20 local (Jul 27, 2019, 02:20 UTC) - Place: Fall City, WA - Coordinates: 47.559444, -121.8636 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5594&lon=-121.8636&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - 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): 100085 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR19LA226 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100085/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100085 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA226 ## Probable cause The failure of the No. 3 cylinder intake valve that resulted in a partial loss of engine power and a forced landing on uneven terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Inoperative (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Unknown: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a cross-country flight, as the pilot neared his level-off altitude, the airplane’s engine began to run rough. The pilot elected to return to the departure airport. However, during the return, the engine continued to run rough and lose power, which prompted him to land at the nearest airport. He had difficulty locating the airport during the approach, which resulted in the airplane being high in altitude and airspeed. The pilot initiated a go-around, but, during the go around the engine lost additional power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to an open field. The airplane nosed over during the landing roll due to uneven terrain and came to rest inverted. A postaccident examination of the engine and an engine run revealed that the No. 3 cylinder was non-operational. Examination revealed that the No. 3 intake valve head was deformed, likely from exposure to excessive temperatures, which resulted in the softening of the valve material. The deformity of the valve did not allow the intake valve to seat properly and left a noticeable gap through which gases and air could escape. This gap would result in the loss of power from the No. 3 cylinder. The reason for the overheat condition could not be determined based on available evidence. ## Factual narrative On July 26, 2019, about 1920 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177RG airplane, N1828Q, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Fall City, Washington. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, as he neared his level off altitude, the airplane’s engine began to run rough after, and he elected to return to the departure airport. However, during the return, the engine continued to run rough and lose power, which prompted him to land at the nearest airport, Fall City Airport (1WA6), Fall City, Washington. The pilot stated that he had difficulty locating the airport while on a straight-in approach. Subsequently, he misjudged the airplane’s altitude and speed for the landing and initiated a go-around. During the go-around, the engine lost additional power, which resulted in the pilot initiating a forced landing in an open field. Due to the field’s uneven terrain, the airplane nosed over during the landing roll and came to rest inverted. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the engine could be safety run. An engine test run was accomplished, and the engine ran rough at various power settings. After the engine run, it was noted that the No. 3 cylinder was cold to the touch, which was consistent with it being non-operational. The No. 3 cylinder was then removed from the engine for examination. Examination of the cylinder combustion area revealed that the No. 3 intake valve head had a cup shape conforming to a “tuliped” valve, consistent with exposure to excessive temperatures. The softening of the valve head material caused by excessive temperatures would deform the valve head into a “tulip” shape. The “tulip” shape of the valve head did not allow the intake valve to seat properly and left a noticeable gap through which gases and air could escape. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1828Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1828Q-2021-03-06), registration cancelled 2021-03-06, S/N 177RG0228, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 177RG (No Series) - Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 177RG0228 - Year built: 1971 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 2019, 5,405 hours before - Departed: S43, Snohomish, WA - Destination: S12, Albany, OR - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 1WA6, Fall City, runway E, 3,000 × 25 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 27, 2018; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 206 total, 119 in this make and model, 162 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KPAE, 27 nm away - METAR: METAR KPAE 270153Z 35008KT 10SM CLR 22/14 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP175 T02170144 ## Other investigations on N1828Q (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA73AM092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA73AM092), Mar 16, 1973: Cessna 177RG (N1828Q), Huntsville, AL, destroyed, 1 fatal ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 17, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100085. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12908685&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_1-1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Airframe and engine examination (item 2, PDF, 6 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12911391&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR19lLA226%20Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Examination%20Final-Rel.pdf - Annual inspection logbook excerpt (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12908065&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Annual%20Inspection_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 179 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12907926&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N1828Q%20NTSB%20Wreckage%20Release%20Form%20and%20Evidence%20Control%20Form%20Signed_Redacted-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. --- 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.