Cessna 172RG accident near Ocean City, Maryland, July 16, 2019
On July 16, 2019 at about 10:15 pm local time, a 1981 Cessna 172RG, registered N9715B, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Ocean City, Maryland. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of power due to the liberation or failure of the No. 2 cylinder's exhaust valve.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 16, 2019 · about 10:15 pm local time
- Place
- Ocean City, Maryland · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172RG No Series, built 1981 · all 172RGs on the register
- Registration
- N9715B · no longer on the register · serial 172RG0986
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, at an altitude of 3,000 ft about 8 miles offshore while conducting fish spotting operations, the engine began to shake and lose rpm. To avoid ditching in the ocean waters, he navigated to the shoreline and the nearest airport. When it became evident that the airplane would not reach the airport, he ditched the airplane in the shallow waters of the ocean surf to avoid bystanders on the beach. The airplane sustained substantial damage to right elevator. Examination of the engine revealed that the No. 2 cylinder exhaust valve spring and guide had liberated and were located inside the damaged rocker cover. The piston and interior of the No. 2 cylinder exhibited mechanical impact damage and a hole was present in the face of the piston. The exhaust valve and exhaust valve keepers were not located. The reason for the liberation or failure of the No. 2 cylinder's exhaust valve could not be determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during maneuvering defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Failure
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Water › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,597.5 hours in all; 3,100 in this make and model; 460 in the last 90 days; 200 in the last 30 days; 3,547.5 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 2, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 2, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-F1A6 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: VA98 Reedville VA
- Destination: Reedville VA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on April 21, 2020. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record – Mechanic | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.