Cessna 172RG N9715B

Summary

On 16 July 2019 at about 22:15 local time, a Cessna 172RG registered N9715B was involved in an accident near Ocean City, Maryland, United States. One person was 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

16 July 2019 at 22:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Ocean City, Maryland, United States

Coordinates

38.3389, -75.0617

Aircraft

Cessna 172RG

Registration

N9715B

Category

Airplane

Year built

1981

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Reedville → Reedville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC19LA034

Nobody was injured.

A partial loss of power due to the liberation or failure of the No. 2 cylinder's exhaust valve.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, at an altitude of 3,000 ft about 8 miles offshore while conducting fish spotting operations, the engine began to shake and lose rpm. To avoid ditching in the ocean waters, he navigated to the shoreline and the nearest airport. When it became evident that the airplane would not reach the airport, he ditched the airplane in the shallow waters of the ocean surf to avoid bystanders on the beach. The airplane sustained substantial damage to right elevator. Examination of the engine revealed that the No. 2 cylinder exhaust valve spring and guide had liberated and were located inside the damaged rocker cover. The piston and interior of the No. 2 cylinder exhibited mechanical impact damage and a hole was present in the face of the piston. The exhaust valve and exhaust valve keepers were not located. The reason for the liberation or failure of the No. 2 cylinder's exhaust valve could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.