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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 20, 1998 · Cessna 152 · N69193

Philippi, WV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 20, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Philippi, WV
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N69193
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC98LA149

The student pilot and flight instructor were performing maneuvers when the engine started to lose power. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and made a forced landing in an open field with uneven terrain. During ground roll, the airplane encountered rising terrain and the nose landing gear collapsed rearward. Examination of the airplane engine revealed that the number two exhaust valve was stuck. The head was missing from the valve stem, and multiple impact marks were found on the top of the piston. Portions of the valve head were recovered in the exhaust and intake manifolds. The cylinder had been replaced 172 hours prior to the accident. The numbers 1, 3, and 4 cylinders had been replaced 51 hours prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

Was the failure of an exhaust valve. A factor in the accident was the unsuitable landing area encountered by the pilot.

Full Narrative

On July 19, 1998, about 2035 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N69193, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Philippi, West Virginia. The certificated flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the dual instruction flight. No flight plan had been filed for the local flight which originated from Benedum Field, Clarksburg, West Virginia, about 1945, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, the flight instructor reported that the engine lost power and dropped to 1,300 RPM. The airplane was unable to maintain altitude, and a forced landing was performed on an uneven field, during which the nose landing gear collapsed. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), reported that the airplane touched down on the main landing gear, on the level portion of a field. It then encountered rising terrain, where the nose wheel dug into the ground, collapsed rearward, and punctured the lower fuselage. The left main landing gear was twisted in the airplane and skin wrinkles were observed above the fuselage attach point. In addition, the engine mounts were bent and the firewall was wrinkled. The airplane was equipped with a Lycoming O-235-L2C engine. The FAA Inspector reported that examination of the engine revealed the number 2 exhaust valve was stuck in the valve guide, and the valve head had separated from the valve stem. The valve guide with valve stem stuck in it was loose in the engine and fell out of the engine when the valve cover was removed. The portion of the valve guide that was exposed in the rocker arm area was covered with a carbon like substance similar to coking. Portions of the valve head were recovered from the exhaust and intake manifolds The number 2 cylinder had been installed on October 21, 1997, 172.3 hours prior to the accident. The numbers 1, 3, and 4 cylinders were installed on March 2, 1998, 51 hours prior to the accident. The chief inspector for KCI Aviation reported that he examined the other intake and exhaust valve guides from the rocker arm side of the cylinders, and none had any coking visible on them.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:35 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN69193
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-N2C · Reciprocating · 105
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 31 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data