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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

August 30, 2022 · Cessna 172N · N204BE

Gates Mills, OH

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 30, 2022
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Gates Mills, OH
Aircraft
Cessna 172N (1978)
Tail Number
N204BE
Operator
Pink Skies
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA22LA392

The pilot, seated in the left seat, said that the instructor pilot, seated in the right seat, asked her to perform a magneto check inflight. During the magneto check, the pilot inadvertently turned the engine ignition key to the off position resulting in a total loss of engine power. As the pilot turned the key to restart the engine, the head of the ignition key broke off. The instructor pilot transferred the controls to the pilot and attempted to move the ignition key but was also unsuccessful. The instructor pilot took the controls and performed an emergency landing into a school football field. The airplane landed hard and sustained substantial damage to the firewall, both wings, engine mount and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The instructor pilot’s decision to perform an inflight magneto check with no suitable area to land. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to correctly perform a magneto check that resulted in a total loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

The pilot, seated in the left seat, said that the instructor pilot, seated in the right seat, asked her to perform a magneto check inflight. During the magneto check, the pilot inadvertently turned the engine ignition key to the off position resulting in a total loss of engine power. As the pilot turned the key to restart the engine, the head of the ignition key broke off. The instructor pilot transferred the controls to the pilot and attempted to move the ignition key but was also unsuccessful. The instructor pilot took the controls and performed an emergency landing into a school football field. The airplane landed hard and sustained substantial damage to the firewall, both wings, engine mount and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:55 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN204BE
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPink Skies
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O320D2G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 27 · First Class · Minor
Crew 2Age 79 · Unknown · Serious
Crew 3Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 6 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 66 F
Altimeter29.90 inHg
Observation Time09:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data