Kutztown, PA, USA
N972SP
Cessna 172S
While in cruise flight, the airplane's engine lost partial power and began to "run rough." The pilot elected to fly the airplane to a nearby airport. Because he was concerned that the engine might stop producing power, the pilot flew a higher than normal traffic pattern, landed with excessive speed, and subsequently overran the runway. The airplane then impacted a utility pole and a tree, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the engine revealed that the number two cylinder exhaust valve had seized, which resulted in the partial loss of engine power.
On September 2, 2005, about 0900 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N972SP, was substantially damaged during a runway overrun at Kutztown Airport (N31), Kutztown, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, which departed Reading Regional Airport (RDG), Reading, Pennsylvania, about 0830, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. During a telephone interview, the pilot stated about 10 to 15 minutes after he departed Reading, while flying between 1,500 and 2,000 feet above mean sea level, the engine began to "run rough." When asked to further describe the loss of engine power, the pilot stated that engine was at "full throttle," then "instantaneously" dropped to 2,100 rpm. The pilot initially thought about performing an off airport landing, but subsequently decided to land the airplane at Kutztown Airport. As the pilot entered the traffic pattern, he was concerned that although the engine was still producing power, it might stop at any time. The pilot stated that during the landing on runway 35, he "came in higher than necessary, landed too hot, and ran off the end of the runway." The airplane crossed a road at the departure end of the runway, and impacted a utility pole and a tree, resulting in substantial damage. An examination of the engine was conducted under the supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. Initially it was found that neither suction nor compression could be obtained on the number two cylinder. Borescope examination, and removal of the cylinder, revealed that the exhaust valve was stuck open, about 1/4 inch from its seat. Runway 35 at Kutztown airport was comprised of a 2,460-foot long by 240-foot wide turf strip, which surrounded a 50-foot wide concrete section that spanned the entire length of the runway. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land and glider. He reported 216 total hours of flight experience, 160 hours of which was in the accident airplane make and model. The weather reported at Reading Airport, 12 nautical miles southwest, at 0854, included winds from 240 degrees at 3 knots, clear skies below 12,000 feet, 6 statute miles visibility in haze, temperature 70 degrees Fahrenheit, dewpoint 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.99 inches of mercury.
The pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point as a result of the airplane's excessive airspeed. A factor was the partial loss of engine power due to a seized exhaust valve.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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