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NTSB Report

October 17, 2005 · Cessna 172P · N53795

Hitchcock, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 17, 2005
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Location
Hitchcock, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N53795
Operator
King Flight Service
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DFW06CA008

The 200-hour private pilot was conducting a local sightseeing flight. Approximately twenty minutes after departing, the pilot reported hearing a loud bang and the engine began to run rough and lose power. The pilot located a private airport in close range and flew directly to it under partial power. Since he was high, the pilot decided to make a circular pattern to lose altitude. When he lined up with the runway, the airplane was still too high to land and the pilot elected to use full flaps and a slip to lose altitude. The pilot realized he was going to overshoot the runway and he pulled up and added full power. The engine continued to run rough and the airplane was still losing airspeed and altitude, so the pilot decided to make another approach from the opposite direction, approaching from about 25 degrees to the right of the runway. Full flaps and a steep approach were used to lose altitude and the airplane touched down approximately two-thirds of the way down the 2,700 foot turf runway. After touching down, the pilot applied both brakes and the airplane skidded to the right, causing the right wing to come into contact with a hangar. The airplane nosed over and came to rest in the upright position. Examination of the engine revealed a crack at the number one cylinder.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to a cracked cylinder.

Full Narrative

The 200-hour pilot was conducting a local sightseeing flight. Approximately twenty-minutes after departing, the pilot reported hearing a loud bang and the engine began to run rough and lose power. The pilot located a private airport in close range and flew directly to it under partial power. Since he was high, the pilot elected to make a circular pattern to lose altitude. When he lined up with the runway, the airplane was still too high to land and the pilot elected to use full flaps and a slip to lose altitude. The pilot realized he was going to overshoot the runway and he pulled-up and added full power. The engine continued to run rough and the airplane was still losing airspeed and altitude, so the pilot decided to make another approach from the opposite direction, approaching from about 25 degrees to the right of the runway. Full flaps and a steep approach were used to lose altitude and the airplane touched down approximately two-thirds of the way down the 2,700 foot turf runway. The pilot applied both brakes and the airplane skidded to the right, causing the right wing to come into contact with a hangar. The airplane nosed-over coming to rest in the upright position. Examination of the airplane's engine revealed a crack at the number one cylinder.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 CDT
Nearest AirportJohnnie Volk Field Airport (0nm)
Runway16
Runway Length2700 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN53795
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKing Flight Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 36 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time23:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data