ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 278374
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| Date: | Wednesday 25 May 2022 |
| Time: | 17:50 |
| Type: |  Cessna 172F Skyhawk |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N5532R |
| MSN: | 17253113 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1965 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | near Show Low Regional Airport (SOW/KSOW), Show Low, AZ -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Show Low Airport, AZ (SOW/KSOW) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
On May 25, 2022, about 1750 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172F airplane, N5532R, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Show Low Regional Airport (SOW), Show Low, Arizona. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The pilot and passenger were departing on a personal flight. Witnesses observed the airplane attempt to take off, but the takeoff was aborted, and the airplane was then taxied back to the approach end of the runway so that the pilot could perform an engine run-up. The witnesses stated that the engine was “sputtering” and “sounded bad” during the takeoff and the taxi to the run-up area. The pilot subsequently attempted a second takeoff. The airplane remained at a low altitude, began a left turn toward the downwind pattern, and then “sank” out of sight behind a ridgeline before impacting terrain. A pilot witness stated that the pilot had “milked it [off the runway], set it back down, and then milked it off [the runway] again.” This witness also described the engine as “running rich, like it was bogged down” during the second takeoff.
Postaccident examination of the engine found that the No. 4 engine cylinder exhaust valve was stuck due to a buildup of material that enlarged the overall diameter of the valve’s stem. Examination of the valve stem deposits showed indications of an organic compound that was consistent with deposits of unburned fuel. The stuck valve led to a partial loss of power during the accident takeoffs.
The accident pilot reported to another pilot that there had been previous engine problems that had been identified as stuck valves. The accident pilot also reported that he ”never leaned the engine” and that he had little-to-no training on how to lean the engine.
The partial loss of engine power that resulted from the No. 4 cylinder exhaust valve becoming stuck was likely due to the pilot's improper leaning of the engine over an extended period. Excessively rich mixtures can lead to a buildup of unburned hydrocarbons, which can foul engine components with deposits. The accident could likely have been avoided if the pilot had the airplane examined by maintenance personnel before attempting the second takeoff
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper leaning of the engine during an extended period of time, which caused an exhaust valve to become stuck and led to the partial loss of engine power during the accident flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to attempt a second takeoff without having the engine further examined.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
https://www.abc15.com/news/state/one-passenger-killed-in-aircraft-crash-near-show-low-lake
https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105133
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N5532R
https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=a70d3e&lat=34.260&lon=-110.023&zoom=15.0&showTrace=2022-05-26&trackLabels
https://photos-e1.flightcdn.com/photos/retriever/ad5aa6f60af8971a676f163b7129226193ed306d (photo)
Location
Images:
Photo: NTSB
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 26-May-2022 03:51 | Captain Adam | Added |
| 26-May-2022 11:40 | RobertMB | Updated [Aircraft type, Registration, Cn, Operator, Phase, Nature, Source, Narrative] |
| 26-May-2022 11:55 | RobertMB | Updated [Aircraft type] |
| 26-May-2022 13:34 | johnwg | Updated [Time, Source, Narrative, Category] |
| 27-May-2022 05:27 | gerard57 | Updated [Total fatalities, Narrative] |
| 28-May-2022 08:54 | Captain Adam | Updated [Source, Narrative] |
| 07-Jun-2022 22:14 | Captain Adam | Updated [Time, Source, Narrative] |
| 11-Nov-2023 23:08 | Captain Adam | Updated [Source, Narrative, Category, Accident report, Photo] |
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