Cessna 172K N111TK

Summary

On 23 December 2003 at about 21:00 local time, a Cessna 172K registered N111TK, operated by Emerald Sky Powers, was involved in an accident near Lake Charles, Louisiana, 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

23 December 2003 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States

Nearest airport

Lake Charles Regional (LCH)

Coordinates

30.1175, -93.2233

Aircraft

Cessna 172K

Registration

N111TK

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Emerald Sky Powers

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Stennis Airport → Houma -Terrebon

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW04LA063

Nobody was injured.

The disintegration of the piston, which resulted in the catastrophic failure of the engine. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The single-engine airplane experienced a loss of engine power while in cruise flight. The 1,200-hour pilot was flying at 1,500 msl, when he noticed "a gradual decrease in engine power." He switched the fuel tanks, checked the magnetos, applied carburetor heat, and checked the primer. The primary engine instruments and "all indicated normal operation." The pilot "pumped the throttle, which appeared to make a positive difference." Subsequently, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power, and the pilot initiated a forced landing to a saturated field. Upon touchdown, the nose wheel sunk into the mud. the airplane nosed over, and came to rest inverted. According to records provided by the FAA, the engine was last overhauled on April 20, 2003, and accumulated 304.2 hours since the overhaul. The engine total time was 6,214.2 hours since new. An examination and teardown of the engine revealed a catastrophic engine failure. During the examination, a large hole in the engine case was present under the #2 cylinder, and several small breaks were present on the top left of the case near the #2 and #4 cylinders. The #1 cylinder spark plug seat was cracked and showed evidence of impact damage was noted. A circular impression, corresponding to the end of the #1piston rod, was observed on the inside of the #1 spark plug seat. The #1 piston head was found totally disintegrated. Fragments of metal were found throughout the case. Exhaust and intake valves did not appear to be damaged.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.