Cessna 172K accident near Lake Charles, Louisiana, December 23, 2003
On December 23, 2003 at about 9:00 pm local time, a Cessna 172K, registered N111TK, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lake Charles, Louisiana (Lake Charles Regional airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The disintegration of the piston, which resulted in the catastrophic failure of the engine. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 23, 2003 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Lake Charles, Louisiana · Lake Charles Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172K · all 172Ks on the register
- Registration
- N111TK · registry record · serial L-33860-270
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The single-engine airplane experienced a loss of engine power while in cruise flight. The 1,200-hour pilot was flying at 1,500 msl, when he noticed "a gradual decrease in engine power." He switched the fuel tanks, checked the magnetos, applied carburetor heat, and checked the primer. The primary engine instruments and "all indicated normal operation." The pilot "pumped the throttle, which appeared to make a positive difference." Subsequently, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power, and the pilot initiated a forced landing to a saturated field. Upon touchdown, the nose wheel sunk into the mud. the airplane nosed over, and came to rest inverted. According to records provided by the FAA, the engine was last overhauled on April 20, 2003, and accumulated 304.2 hours since the overhaul. The engine total time was 6,214.2 hours since new. An examination and teardown of the engine revealed a catastrophic engine failure. During the examination, a large hole in the engine case was present under the #2 cylinder, and several small breaks were present on the top left of the case near the #2 and #4 cylinders. The #1 cylinder spark plug seat was cracked and showed evidence of impact damage was noted. A circular impression, corresponding to the end of the #1piston rod, was observed on the inside of the #1 spark plug seat. The #1 piston head was found totally disintegrated. Fragments of metal were found throughout the case. Exhaust and intake valves did not appear to be damaged.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,200 hours in all; 500 in this make and model; 80 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 1,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 1, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 15,000 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, December 1, 2003; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HSA Stennis Airport MS at 8:30 pm
- Destination: HUM Houma -Terrebon LA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,700 ft; ovct
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from LCH, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.