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NTSB Report
September 2, 1989 · Cessna 175 · N7174M
Spruce Pine, NC
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 2, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Spruce Pine, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 175
Tail Number
N7174M
Operator
Authur Bulter
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL89LA208
WHILE EN ROUTE TO FRANKLIN, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A ROUGH ENGINE, AND ELECTED TO LAND IN BLACKSBURG, VIRGINIA. ALL IGNITION LEADS WERE TORQUED AND THE AIRPLANE OPERATED NORMALLY. ABOUT ONE HOUR INTO THE NEXT LEG OF THE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE ANOTHER PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. AIRPLANE CRASHED 200 YARDS SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. REPORTEDLY, THE AIRPLANE HAD A HISTORY OF STICKING VALVES. THE PILOT COMPARED THE FAILING ENGINE TO THAT OF A STICKING VALVE.
NTSB Probable Cause
A LOSS OF POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. THE POWER LOSS MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO A STICKING VALVE(S).
Full Narrative
WHILE EN ROUTE TO FRANKLIN, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A ROUGH ENGINE, AND ELECTED TO LAND IN BLACKSBURG, VIRGINIA. ALL IGNITION LEADS WERE TORQUED AND THE AIRPLANE OPERATED NORMALLY. ABOUT ONE HOUR INTO THE NEXT LEG OF THE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE ANOTHER PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. AIRPLANE CRASHED 200 YARDS SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. REPORTEDLY, THE AIRPLANE HAD A HISTORY OF STICKING VALVES. THE PILOT COMPARED THE FAILING ENGINE TO THAT OF A STICKING VALVE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 EDT
Nearest AirportAvery/Morrison (0nm N)
Runway16
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 175
Tail NumberN7174M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAuthur Bulter
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · GO-300 · Reciprocating · 175
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:52
Weather SourceWFAC