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April 1, 2011 · Cessna 172P · N98FR

Vega Baja, PR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 1, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Vega Baja, PR
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N98FR
Operator
Isla Grande Flying School
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA11LA230

During cruise flight, about 1,000 feet above ground level, the engine lost power and began to vibrate. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude, so he performed a forced landing to a nearby abandoned military airfield. After touchdown, the airplane departed the end of the runway and collided with trees and bushes resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 2 cylinder exhaust valve failed, and the valve parts exited the engine through the exhaust system. The operator reported that the exhaust valve had accumulated about 1,120 hours since installation.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Engine (reciprocating)-Recip eng cyl section-Failure - C

Full Narrative

On April 1, 2011, about 1635 Atlantic Standard Time, a Cessna 172P, N98FR, experienced a loss of engine power and force landed on a closed, abandoned airfield near Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to Flight World, Inc. and was operated by Isla Grande Flying School under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Borinquen, Puerto Rico (BQN) about 1600 and was destined for San Juan, Puerto Rico (SIG). The pilot reported that the airplane was in cruise at 1,000 feet above ground level when the engine lost power and began to vibrate heavily and the altitude could not be maintained. About 250 feet, he observed a runway at a closed, former military base and attempted a landing. During the landing attempt, the airplane collided with trees and bushes. Structural damage to the wings and fuselage resulted. Initial examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the number 2 cylinder exhaust valve spring was loose. The cylinder was subsequently examined and the exhaust valve, manufactured by Superior Air Parts, was found to have failed. The operator reported that all of the exhaust valve parts, with the exception of the valve keepers and associated parts, exited the exhaust system. The exhaust valve reportedly had accumulated about 1,120 hours since installation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:35 AST
Nearest AirportCamp Tortuguero (Abandoned) (0nm)
Runway Length3500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN98FR
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorIsla Grande Flying School
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 20 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind150° @ 10 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.94 inHg
Observation Time19:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data