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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

August 13, 1990 · Cessna 172 · N66068

Ridge Spring, SC

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 13, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Ridge Spring, SC
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N66068
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL90LA159

THE PILOT WAS ESTABLISHED AT CRUISE WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD BANG. SHORTLY AFTERWARD, THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT SELECTED AN OPEN FIELD FOR THE EMERGENCY LANDING. AFTER CLEARING A TREE LINE THE PILOT MADE A NORMAL TOUCHDOWN. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE NOSE GEAR COLLIDED WITH A DITCH, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. THE ENGINE EXAMINATION FOUND NO.4 EXHAUST VALVE STUCK AND THE PUSH ROD/HOUSING ASSEMBLIES WERE DISPLACED FROM THEIR NORMAL POSITIONS. THE ENGINE WAS 345 HOURS OVER THE SUGGESTED OVERHAUL TIME IN SERVICE WHEN THE VALVE STUCK. THE PILOT ALSO FAILED TO EXTEND THE WING FLAPS DURING THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY/OWNER TO FOLLOW STANDARD PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO EXTEND THE FLAPS DURING THE FORCED LANDING.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT WAS ESTABLISHED AT CRUISE WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD BANG. SHORTLY AFTERWARD, THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT SELECTED AN OPEN FIELD FOR THE EMERGENCY LANDING. AFTER CLEARING A TREE LINE THE PILOT MADE A NORMAL TOUCHDOWN. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE NOSE GEAR COLLIDED WITH A DITCH, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. THE ENGINE EXAMINATION FOUND NO.4 EXHAUST VALVE STUCK AND THE PUSH ROD/HOUSING ASSEMBLIES WERE DISPLACED FROM THEIR NORMAL POSITIONS. THE ENGINE WAS 345 HOURS OVER THE SUGGESTED OVERHAUL TIME IN SERVICE WHEN THE VALVE STUCK. THE PILOT ALSO FAILED TO EXTEND THE WING FLAPS DURING THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN66068
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 29 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:50
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data