Cessna 172N N4926G

Summary

On 21 November 1996 at about 22:30 local time, a Cessna 172N registered N4926G was involved in an accident near Andover, Massachusetts, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 November 1996 at 22:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Andover, Massachusetts, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Cessna 172N

Registration

N4926G

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Beverly → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

NYC97FA019

Nobody was injured.

failure of the dual magneto, which resulted in a total loss of engine power, and subsequent collision with trees during a forced landing at night. Darkness and trees in the emergency landing area were related factors.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The purpose of the local night flight, was to conduct a traffic report. During cruise flight, about 1,500 feet above mean sea level, the engine lost power. The pilot's attempts to restore power were unsuccessful, and the engine continued to lose power. Subsequently, the pilot performed a forced landing, during which the airplane impacted trees. Examination of the engine revealed that it was equipped with a Bendix D3000 magneto, a dual magneto with a common shaft. No spark was observed when the magneto was rotated. Disassembly of the magneto revealed that the cam followers were worn, which prevented the cam lobes from contacting the followers, and subsequently, prevented the points from operating.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.