Cessna 177 N2803X

Summary

On 24 April 2009 at about 13:50 local time, a Cessna 177 registered N2803X, operated by Rogerson Benjamin, was involved in an accident near Kinston, North Carolina, 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

24 April 2009 at 13:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Kinston, North Carolina, United States

Coordinates

35.1256, -77.5836

Aircraft

Cessna 177

Registration

N2803X

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Rogerson Benjamin

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Norfolk → Wallace

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA09LA271

Nobody was injured.

A partial loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 1 cylinder exhaust valve for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During cruise flight the pilot stated that the engine suddenly and without warning began running rough with "...much vibration." He reduced power, which reduced the vibration, and the airplane began losing altitude. He proceeded to the nearest airport but after recognizing that he would be unable to land there, he maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing in a field. Examination of the engine revealed the No. 1 cylinder exhaust valve was broken and the top of the No. 1 cylinder and piston were damaged by the broken valve. Although the engine was last overhauled on August 12, 1989, the cylinders were not replaced at that time. The overhaul entry indicates that the cylinders were only inspected and honed. Further, there was no record that the No. 1 cylinder had been removed and replaced since the engine was overhauled. The engine had accumulated approximately 1,310 hours since overhaul at the time of the accident. The reason for the No. 1 exhaust valve failure was not determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.