Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172H near Seattle, WA — 2023-05-19

Final reportWPR23LA196
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Date
2023-05-19
Location
Seattle, WA, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 172H
Registration
N2550L
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A stuck exhaust valve that resulted in a partial loss of engine power and a forced water ditching.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, as the airplane descended to 1,000 ft mean sea level (msl) crossing over a bay, the engine sustained a partial loss of power. The pilot declared an emergency and performed a forced water ditching. Examination of the engine revealed a stuck exhaust valve on the No. 4 cylinder. The No. 4 cylinder was removed for further examination. The exhaust valve guide exhibited evidence of oil coking along with an area of polishing on one side of the guide. A slight amount of discoloration consistent with corrosion was observed adjacent to the polished area. The exhaust valve stem was intact with some coking near the valve fillet and the intake valve exhibited moderate coking. It is likely that the coking resulted in the valve getting stuck. The Nos. 2 and 4 cylinder cooling fins exhibited thermal discoloration. A visual inspection of the internal area of the crankcase showed the crankshaft and camshaft did not reveal any anomalies or mechanical damage. The No. 4 cylinder had been serviced and reinstalled with a new cylinder kit 143 flight hours before the accident and the most recent annual inspection was about 11 months before the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have performed engine troubleshooting earlier or diverted sooner.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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