Probable cause
The failure of the No. 2 cylinder exhaust valve resulting in a loss of engine power.
NTSB analysis
During cruise flight, about 1,000 feet above ground level, the engine lost power and began to vibrate. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude, so he performed a forced landing to a nearby abandoned military airfield. After touchdown, the airplane departed the end of the runway and collided with trees and bushes resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 2 cylinder exhaust valve failed, and the valve parts exited the engine through the exhaust system. The operator reported that the exhaust valve had accumulated about 1,120 hours since installation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA11LA230 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 1, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
- Nearest airport
- Camp Tortuguero (Abandoned)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dawn
Cessna 172P
- N-number
- N98FR
- 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.