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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 11, 1992 · Cessna 172L · N9871G

Delta, UT

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 11, 1992
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Delta, UT
Aircraft
Cessna 172L
Tail Number
N9871G
Operator
Carlson Donald K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA92LA149

DURING A PLEASURE CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE ENGINE RPM DECREASED. THE PILOT DIVERTED TO A NEARBY RUNWAY AND LANDED DOWNWIND. AFTER THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN, IT BOUNCED AND CONTINUED TO BOUNCE THE LENGTH OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE FINALLY SETTLED AS IT RAN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND CONTINUED TO TRAVEL THROUGH A BARBED WIRE FENCE AND BEEHIVE BOXES BEFORE COMING TO REST. POST-CRASH INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER 4 INTAKE VALVE WAS BROKEN. DUE TO DAMAGE OF THE FRACTURE ENDS, THE FAILURE MODE WAS NOT DETERMINED.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF AN INTAKE VALVE AND THE POORLY EXECUTED FORCED LANDING.

Full Narrative

DURING A PLEASURE CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE ENGINE RPM DECREASED. THE PILOT DIVERTED TO A NEARBY RUNWAY AND LANDED DOWNWIND. AFTER THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN, IT BOUNCED AND CONTINUED TO BOUNCE THE LENGTH OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE FINALLY SETTLED AS IT RAN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND CONTINUED TO TRAVEL THROUGH A BARBED WIRE FENCE AND BEEHIVE BOXES BEFORE COMING TO REST. POST-CRASH INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER 4 INTAKE VALVE WAS BROKEN. DUE TO DAMAGE OF THE FRACTURE ENDS, THE FAILURE MODE WAS NOT DETERMINED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:19 MDT
Nearest AirportDELTA (0nm)
Runway34
Runway Length6011 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172L
Tail NumberN9871G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCarlson Donald K
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 17 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160°, gusting 30 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data