Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172M near Friend, NE — 2022-07-08

Final reportCEN22LA309
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Date
2022-07-08
Location
Friend, NE, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 172M
Registration
N5177H
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to a stuck valve.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he noticed a slight hesitation in the engine, followed by backfiring and a large drop in engine speed while in cruise flight at 2,000 ft above ground level. He was able to regain partial power for a few minutes before the engine lost additional power. The pilot performed a forced landing between two corn fields, where the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage due to impact with terrain. Postaccident testing of the engine revealed a stuck exhaust valve on the No. 2 cylinder that resulted in the loss of engine power during cruise flight. No other anomalies were noted with the engine or related systems that would have precluded normal operations of the engine. Thus, the stuck exhaust valve likely resulted in the partial loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have performed a precautionary landing after first engine hesitation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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