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Search Results for: Cessna 172

Squawk Box

Squawk Box: 12/05

The following information is derived from the FAAs Service Difficulty Reports and Aviation Maintenance Alerts.

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Cessna 172S
Stall Warning Horn Failure

During the students first stall practice, the warning horn failed to operate through the full stall and the CFI halted the maneuver. Troubleshooting confirmed the warning horn assembly (p/n 0713348-1) was defective. The failed unit was replaced with a new (assembly), and a maintenance operational check and test flight were completed. A second 172 aircraft (of three) had the identical problem…at 491.5 hours. The part was replaced twice because the first new part failed during testing. A third aircraft has 417….

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Learning Experiences

Learning Experiences: 11/05

Carb Temp
It was October 2004. I was flying a mid-70s vintage Cessna 172 from Paris, Texas, to Houston. I had received my Private pilot ticket about three months prior. There was not a cloud in the sky, winds were out of the south at about 12 knots; temperature on the ground was about 73 F. It was an absolutely beautiful day and perfect for flying; the kind of day that those of us who have the deep passion for flying clamor for. Just enjoying the scenery and the calm peacefulness that this sport imparts.

Though I had been officially checked out in the Cessna, all of my training and most of my 90+ hours (at that point) had been in a Piper Warrior. The Warrior, as is the case…

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Preliminary Reports

NTSB Preliminary Reports

Click here to view “By the Numbers.”

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September 1, 2004, Willits, Calif.
Cessna 172S

The airplane was destroyed and the Private pilot received minor injuries after descending into trees about 1/8th mile west of the Willits Municipal Airport. Visual conditions prevailed for the dark, nighttime flight that originated in Watsonville, Calif., about 90 minutes earlier. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions during the flight; the airplanes landing light was functional, although he did not use it. According to the pilot, he was attempting to locate his home base airport. Upon arriving in the vicinity of the airport…

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Learning Experiences

Learning Experiences: 10/04

A Touchy Subject
About a year ago I was practicing solo landings in preparation for my FAA checkride to become a new private pilot. I was at a familiar untowered airport that gets busy and on this particular day it was exactly that. I announced my intent to complete a touch and go, closed pattern and received a reply from the plane behind me that he had me in sight and would land on the same runway.

I approached the runway with 30 degrees flaps and made a nice touch down. Carb heat off, full throttle, I hastened to take off and not delay anyone behind me.

To my surprise, the aircraft (a Cessna 172) sprang into flight at about 40 knots, not a safe speed. I forced the n…

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Learning Experiences

Learning Experiences: 05/04

A Lack of Control
I was inbound for landing in a Cessna 172 to my home field. I checked in with the tower about six miles out and was told to report back on a left midfield downwind. The runway in use normally used right traffic. The weather was clear and visibility was unrestricted.

While I continued toward the airport, the tower cleared several departures and apparently one of them was a left downwind departure, but I didnt hear that clearance.

The controller was fairly new at the airport, and she did not provide me or the airplanes departing with any traffic information. As I approached the crosswind/downwind intersection, another 172 suddenly appeared on a collision…

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Preliminary Reports

NTSB Preliminary Reports

The following briefs were selected from the preliminary reports filed with the NTSB in September 2003. Statements in quotes were taken directly from the NTSB documents. Click here to view “Accident Totals, Sept.”

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September 01, Fajardo, Puerto Rico
Cessna 172

At about 1210 eastern time, a Cessna 172F lost engine power on initial climb and was damaged in the ensuing forced landing. The pilot was not injured. The pilot said he took off and, as he climbed through 300 feet agl, the engine lost power. He attempted to turn back to the runway but landed in a field about a half mile from the runway.

September 01, U…

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Preliminary Reports

April 20, Ardmore, Okla. / Robinson R-22

At 0800 central time, a Robinson R-22 Beta rolled over during takeoff from Ardmore Downtown Executive Airport. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The pilot said a Cessna 172 was parked approximately 30 feet behind the helicopter and faced the opposite direction. As the helicopter lifted off, the Cessna 172s engine started, and the pilot feels that this caused the loss of control on takeoff….

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Aircraft

Dec. 9, New York, N.Y. / Boeing 737

At about 17:25 EST, a Boeing 737 operating as Canadian Airlines Flight 528 experienced a near midair collision while maneuvering to land at La Guardia Airport. The Boeing 737 was on downwind for runway 4, at 4,000 feet, when the crew caught a glimpse of three lights. The first officer saw the other airplane and had enough time to realize they were not going to collide, but not enough time to execute an evasive maneuver. In addition, the airplanes TCAS went from TRAFFIC to MONITOR VERTICAL SPEED to CLEAR OF CONFLICT in approximately 2 seconds. The other airplane reportedly was a Cessna 172, IFR at 5,000 feet. The pilot of that airplane apparently saw the 737 at his 12 oclock position…

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Squawk Box

Cable Corrosion

The following information is derived from the FAAs Service Difficulty Reports and Aviation Maintenance Alerts.

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Control cables are a critical component of most aircraft flight control systems. The cables are usually manufactured from carbon steel or stainless steel and are lubricated during the manufacturing process.

Both types are susceptible to the effects of corrosion, especially if the lubrication is wiped away by fairleads, stuck pulleys, or is oxidized away over long time periods. Moisture accelerates the process.

The FAA has received reports of corrosion in Cessna 172 aileron control cables in the area at the top of the rear doorpost. Corrosion is most likely i…

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Learning Experiences

Silent Intruder

While waiting at the hold short line for runway 25 in the clubs Cessna 172, my instructor mentioned that there was a government King Air rolling up behind us from taxiway Alpha.

I was cleared for takeoff from our 3,947-foot msl airport to the practice area. This meant a right turn at 500 feet agl then staying below 5,500 feet until cleared higher. At 300 feet agl the tower asked me to start the right turn toward the practice area and to stay below 6,500. I presumed this was to clear the way for the King Air traffic and get our high-priced helped back to the legislature. Shortly after my turn, the King Air was cleared to take off. While climbing through 5,000 I made a quick instrument s…

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Pilot in aircraft
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