Probable cause
Failure of the engine cylinder assembly, which resulted in a loss of engine power during cruise flight and an impact with a fence during the forced landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the personal flight stated that while the airplane was in cruise flight, he felt a pop or shudder. The airplane began to shake, and oil began to cover the windshield. The airplane lost engine power and the pilot then performed a forced landing to a field, during which it struck a fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the engine’s No. 2 cylinder head was cracked. There were no other mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal airplane operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA027 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 5, 2022
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Aguilar, Colorado
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna R172E
- N-number
- N6051U
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.