Cessna 172 N9884Q

Summary

On 27 April 2009 at about 14:45 local time, a Cessna 172 registered N9884Q, operated by LH Underwood Aerial Patrol, Inc, was involved in an accident near Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 April 2009 at 14:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States

Coordinates

34.6736, -80.0606

Aircraft

Cessna 172

Registration

N9884Q

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

LH Underwood Aerial Patrol, Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Spartanburg → Thomaston

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA09LA272

2 people had minor injuries.

The partial loss of engine power due to a broken exhaust valve. Contributing to the accident was the operator's exceedance of the engine manufacturer's recommended time before overhaul.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that while flying pipeline patrol about 500 feet above ground level, the engine began to run “rough” and lose engine rpm with a corresponding loss of power. The pilot adjusted the carburetor heat, throttle, and mixture controls to the “full” positions, as well as adjusting the fuel selector to all positions, with no change in engine performance. He navigated toward the nearest airport and noted that the engine rpm had decayed to 1900 as the airplane descended. The pilot determined that he could not reach the airport and made an emergency landing in trees. Postaccident, the airplane engine started and ran but did not develop full power. Disassembly of the engine revealed excessive wear and a broken exhaust valve. The engine manufacturer recommended overhaul at 2,000 engine hours, or 12 calendar years, whichever occurred first. Examination of aircraft logbooks revealed that the engine had accrued 2,403 hours and nearly 13 years since its last overhaul.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.