Cessna 177RG N1542H

Summary

On 8 October 2015 at about 18:20 local time, a Cessna 177RG registered N1542H was involved in an accident near Red Oak, Iowa, 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

8 October 2015 at 18:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Red Oak, Iowa, United States

Coordinates

41.0117, -95.2272

Aircraft

Cessna 177RG

Registration

N1542H

Category

Airplane

Year built

1975

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Red Oak → Joneboro

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN16LA032

Nobody was injured.

The improper torque of the engine’s No. 3 cylinder intake pipe bolts, which resulted in the separation of the pipe and a partial loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot stated that, during an en route climb to cruise altitude, the engine began to vibrate and the engine fuel flow decreased. The pilot initiated a return to the departure airport during which the airplane was unable to maintain altitude. The pilot performed a forced landing to a cornfield, resulting in substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 3 cylinder intake pipe was loose and missing its attachment bolts. Review of maintenance logbooks showed that the No. 3 engine cylinder intake pipe gasket was replaced about 400 flight hours before the accident. It is likely that the bolts were improperly torqued at the time of replacement.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.