Accident Details
On December 9, 2017, about 0945 central standard time, a Cessna 172C (registration N8856B) collided with a ditch during a forced landing. The accident occurred after a complete loss of engine power during the initial climb from Algona Municipal Airport (AXA), Algona, Iowa. The airplane was on a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight, destined for Eagle Grove Municipal Airport (EAG), Eagle Grove, Iowa. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed.
Flight Sequence
The flight instructor reported that the student pilot was handling the takeoff from AXA. When the airplane reached 1,800 ft above mean sea level, the student pilot initiated a left turn toward EAG. Shortly after the turn, the engine ceased producing power. The flight instructor assumed control, reduced speed, and performed a landing into the wind on a gravel road. During the landing roll, the left wheel caught the edge of the road, causing the airplane to veer into a ditch. This resulted in substantial damage to the wing and fuselage. The pilot, student pilot, and passenger were not injured.
Aircraft Examination
Post-accident examination revealed that the No. 1 cylinder head had separated at the cylinder head-to-barrel interface. The Cessna 172C was manufactured in 1958 and powered by a 145-horsepower Continental O-300-C engine (serial number 3156-D-3-C), also manufactured in 1958. The last annual inspection occurred on July 15, 2017. At the time of the accident, the airframe had accumulated 6,080.8 total hours, and the engine had 2,351.8 total hours, with 605.9 hours since its last overhaul on July 4, 1994. According to Continental Motors Service Information Letter SIL98-9C (issued November 17, 1998), the recommended time between overhauls for the O-300-C engine is 1,800 hours or 12 years.