Summary
On April 01, 2011, a Cessna 172P (N98FR) was involved in an incident near Vega Baja, PR. All 3 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The failure of the No. 2 cylinder exhaust valve resulting in a loss of engine power.
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.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA11LA230. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N98FR.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The failure of the No. 2 cylinder exhaust valve resulting in a loss of engine power.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
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.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA11LA230