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NTSB Report
July 19, 1992 · Cessna 120 · N89970
Reserve, LA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 19, 1992
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Reserve, LA
Aircraft
Cessna 120
Tail Number
N89970
Operator
Hicks Timothy J
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW92LA181
THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE PASSING THROUGH 200 FEET AGL. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED IN A ROUGH OPEN FIELD AS THERE WAS NO OTHER SUITABLE TERRAIN. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE NO. 1 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE HAD SEPARATED AND THE STEM WAS INGESTED INTO THE ENGINE. THE VALVE HEAD WAS FOUND IMBEDDED IN THE PISTON HEAD. DUE TO THE LEVEL OF DAMAGE SUSTAINED BY THE VALVE PARTS, THE EXACT FAILURE MODE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO THE VALVE FAILURE. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE PASSING THROUGH 200 FEET AGL. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED IN A ROUGH OPEN FIELD AS THERE WAS NO OTHER SUITABLE TERRAIN. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE NO. 1 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE HAD SEPARATED AND THE STEM WAS INGESTED INTO THE ENGINE. THE VALVE HEAD WAS FOUND IMBEDDED IN THE PISTON HEAD. DUE TO THE LEVEL OF DAMAGE SUSTAINED BY THE VALVE PARTS, THE EXACT FAILURE MODE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 CDT
Nearest AirportSt. John (1nm W)
Runway18
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 120
Tail NumberN89970
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHicks Timothy J
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-12 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 28 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC