Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172M near Canadensis, PA — 2012-08-31

Final reportERA12LA539
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Date
2012-08-31
Location
Canadensis, PA, USA
Airport
8N4
Aircraft
CESSNA 172M
Registration
N391R
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to attain a proper glidepath.

NTSB narrative

The pilot performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and an engine run-up with no discrepancies reported before departing. He departed with an adequate supply of fuel and proceeded toward his destination airport. During cruise flight, with the fuel-to-air ratio leaned, the pilot heard an engine sound that he said was similar to a cylinder not firing; the engine then experienced significant vibration and a partial loss of power. Attempts to restore engine power were unsuccessful. The flight was vectored by an air traffic controller to the Cherry Ridge Airport (N30), and on the first approach to the 2,405-foot-long grass downsloping runway designated 20, the flight was high and fast resulting in a bounced landing necessitating a go-around. He executed a 180 degree turn to land on runway 2, and while on final approach, the airplane was allowed to descend below the elevation of the runway resulting in undershoot followed by a nose-over. While the postaccident inspection of the engine revealed a discrepancy with one magneto and very low compression from the No. 4 cylinder, the pilot stated that his in-flight check of each magneto revealed satisfactory results.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to land on runway 02 instead of attempting to land on runway 20.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents8

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