Cessna 172H accident near Callao, Missouri, March 8, 2003
On March 8, 2003 at about 6:00 pm local time, a Cessna 172H, registered N275SW, was substantially damaged in an accident near Callao, Missouri (Private airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to the erosion of the number 2 piston, resulting in loss of compression on that cylinder. Contributing factors were the tailwind, the muddy runway condition, and the roadway and ditch.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 8, 2003 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Callao, Missouri · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172H · all 172Hs on the register
- Registration
- N275SW · registry record · serial 17255491
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The aircraft was substantially damaged during a forced landing at a private airstrip. According to the pilot's statement, shortly after departure, approximately 3 miles west of the airstrip, the engine "started cutting out." He reported that he applied carburetor heat and checked the mixture, however, the engine performance did not improve. At that point, he decided to return to the local airstrip. The pilot stated: "Approximately 1/2 mile away I slowed down and added 20 degrees of flaps. As I approached the threshold end at a heading of 090 degrees, I applied more flaps. The airplane stayed in ground [effect] and didn't land until about 2/3 of the way down the runway. Upon touchdown I took out all flaps as the airplane slid down the grass/muddy runway. The airplane slid off the end of the runway with the nose wheel striking a gravel road and breaking off. The airplane then flipped over coming to rest upside down in the road ditch." The pilot reported that he decided to approach straight-in, for a downwind landing, due to the lack of available power, as well as the rising terrain and two sets of power lines east of the airstrip. He noted that he was slightly fast on final approach. According to the pilot, his preflight weather briefing advised of winds from 240 degrees at 14 knots. Winds reported 20nm north of the accident site were from 330 degrees at 17 knots. During a post accident examination, no compression was obtained on engine cylinder 2. The number 2 cylinder was removed and the cylinder and piston were inspected. The bottom edge of the number 2 piston head was eroded and burned. The damage extended past the piston rings and included a hole in the side of the piston. In addition, the side of the piston as well as the cylinder wall, exhibited scoring in the direction of piston travel. The piston rings were broken. The condition of the piston was consistent with pre-ignition.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 225 hours in all; 147 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 192 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 25, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,168 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 11, 2002; 81 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300-D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Callao MO at 5:50 pm
- Destination: K89 Macon MO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 9, 2,640 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 4,300 ft
- Temperature: 36°F (2°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Observation at 5:55 pm from IRK, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.