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NTSB Report
March 20, 1987 · Cessna 172G · N3630L
Linden, MI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 20, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Linden, MI
Aircraft
Cessna 172G
Tail Number
N3630L
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI87DEC02
THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND WHEN HE DECIDED HE WAS TOO HIGH, AND ABORTED THE LANDING ATTEMPT. THE ENGINE FAILED TO DEVELOP POWER DESPITE THROTTLE AND MIXTURE ADJUSTMENTS, AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A CORNFIELD. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THERE WAS NO CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE ROCKER ARM AND THE INTAKE VALVE STEM ON CYLINDER #3, AND NONE BETWEEN THE ROCKER ARMS AND EXHAUST VALVE STEMS ON #5 AND #6 CYLINDERS. THE COMPRESSION CHECK SHOWED NO COMPRESSION ON #5 OR #6 AND VERY LITTLE COMPRESSION ON #3. ALL OF THE CYLINDERS HAD BEEN RECONDITIONED 22 HOURS EARLIER.
Full Narrative
THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND WHEN HE DECIDED HE WAS TOO HIGH, AND ABORTED THE LANDING ATTEMPT. THE ENGINE FAILED TO DEVELOP POWER DESPITE THROTTLE AND MIXTURE ADJUSTMENTS, AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A CORNFIELD. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THERE WAS NO CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE ROCKER ARM AND THE INTAKE VALVE STEM ON CYLINDER #3, AND NONE BETWEEN THE ROCKER ARMS AND EXHAUST VALVE STEMS ON #5 AND #6 CYLINDERS. THE COMPRESSION CHECK SHOWED NO COMPRESSION ON #5 OR #6 AND VERY LITTLE COMPRESSION ON #3. ALL OF THE CYLINDERS HAD BEEN RECONDITIONED 22 HOURS EARLIER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 EST
Nearest AirportLINDEN (1nm ESE)
Runway9
Runway Length2509 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172G
Tail NumberN3630L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 8 kt
Visibility14 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:26
Weather SourcePILO