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NTSB Report
August 14, 1985 · Cessna 172P · N5259K
Saint Helena, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 14, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Saint Helena, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N5259K
Operator
Bridgeport Flying Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX85LA351
DURING A LOCAL PERSONAL FLT, THE PLT SAID THE 'ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH A SHAKE VIOLENTLY.' WITH NOT ENOUGH POWER TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD, HOWEVER, OVERRAN THE FIELD AFTER TOUCHDOWN AND COLLIDED WITH GROUND OBSTRUCTIONS IN A VINEYARD. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED STUCK INTAKE AND EXHAUST VALVES IN THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER. IN ADDITION, THE EXHAUST VALVE PUSHROD WAS FOUND SEPARATED IN THE MIDDLE WITH SEVERE BATTERING PEENING NOTED TO THE BROKEN ENDS OF THE PUSHROD.
Full Narrative
DURING A LOCAL PERSONAL FLT, THE PLT SAID THE 'ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH A SHAKE VIOLENTLY.' WITH NOT ENOUGH POWER TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD, HOWEVER, OVERRAN THE FIELD AFTER TOUCHDOWN AND COLLIDED WITH GROUND OBSTRUCTIONS IN A VINEYARD. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED STUCK INTAKE AND EXHAUST VALVES IN THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER. IN ADDITION, THE EXHAUST VALVE PUSHROD WAS FOUND SEPARATED IN THE MIDDLE WITH SEVERE BATTERING PEENING NOTED TO THE BROKEN ENDS OF THE PUSHROD.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN5259K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBridgeport Flying Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 20 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 9 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:45
Weather SourceWFAC