FULLERTON, CA, USA
N48418
CESSNA 152
THE STUDENT SAID THAT WHILE FLYING TOWARD THE AIRPORT, THE ENGINE POWER OUTPUT SUDDENLY DROPPED AND VARIED BETWEEN 900 AND 1,400 RPM. THE POWER WAS INSUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN FLIGHT AND THE STUDENT SAID HE REALIZED HE COULD NOT MAKE THE AIRPORT. HE SAW A LEVEL DIRT ROAD AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE AND MADE A FORCED LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED GROUND OBSTACLES DURING THE LANDING ROLL AND NOSED OVER. TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT ALL VALVES AND VALVE SEATS WERE WARPED, WITH EVIDENCE OF EXHAUST GASSES ENTERING THE INTAKE PORTS. THE ENGINE WAS REPORTEDLY AT TBO.
THE WARPED CONDITION OF THE ENGINE VALVES AND VALVE SEATS DUE TO EXCESSIVE AND REPEATED THERMAL SHOCK CYCLES.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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