Cessna R172K II accident near Hagatna, July 15, 2006
On July 15, 2006 at about 6:10 pm local time, a Cessna R172K II, registered N1209V, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hagatna (Guam International airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the number four connecting rod during takeoff-initial climb.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 15, 2006 · about 6:10 pm local time
- Place
- Hagatna · Guam International · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna R172K II · all R172K IIs on the register
- Registration
- N1209V · no longer on the register · serial R1722140
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was climbing through 1,500 feet when the engine began to run rough. The pilot tried to smooth it out using the mixture; however, its condition worsened, and it stopped producing power altogether. The pilot could not glide to shore, and he ditched in a nearby bay. Examination of the engine revealed a hole in the top of the case at the number four cylinder. The number four connecting rod fractured and separated. After being in the salt water, the engine had corroded and could not be further disassembled. Moreover, the corrosion obscured the connecting rod fracture faces. Review of the maintenance records found that the engine had flown 1,500 hours past the manufacturer's recommended time between overhaul.
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: single-engine land
- Flight time: 3,814 hours in all; 3,814 in this make and model; 113 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: November 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,029 hours
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-360-B1B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GUM Hagatna at 6:05 pm
- Destination: GUM Hatagna
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 11 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 1,400 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 9:54 am from GUM
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.