Cessna 172M accident near Medina, Ohio, September 10, 2004
On September 10, 2004 at about 3:50 pm local time, a Cessna 172M, registered N172WW, was substantially damaged in an accident near Medina, Ohio (Medina Municipal Airport). It was a personal 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).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of engine power due to inadequate maintenance and by failure to comply with service instruction for low engine compression.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 10, 2004 · about 3:50 pm local time
- Place
- Medina, Ohio · Medina Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172M · all 172Ms on the register
- Registration
- N172WW · registry record · serial 17267445
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the takeoff roll, as the pilot rotated at 60 knots, he felt the airplane was "slow to lift," and aborted the takeoff. He reduced the power to idle and applied the brakes; however, the airplane traveled off the end of the runway, impacted a fence, and nosed over in a ditch. Examination of the Lycoming engine revealed low compression in the number 3 cylinder, due to a fractured cylinder ring. The last 100-hour inspection was performed approximately 3 weeks prior to the accident, and the airplane had flown 1 hour since then. The entry for the inspection revealed a compression check of the number 3 cylinder resulted in a reading of 55/80 psi. According to 14 CFR Part 43 Appendix D, "Each person shall inspect components of the engine and nacelle as follows...Internal engine - for cylinder compression...If there is a weak cylinder compression, [inspect] for improper internal condition and improper internal tolerances." Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1191A, stated in part, "Pressure readings for all cylinders should be nearly equal...a difference of 10 to 15 psi indicates an investigation should be made...if the pressure reading for cylinders is below 60 psi...removal and overhaul of the cylinders should be considered."
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: 241 hours in all; 139 in this make and model; 241 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 1, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,350 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 1, 2004; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1G5 Medina OH at 3:30 pm
- Destination: 1G5
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 01, 2,867 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,600 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.27 inHg
- Observation at 3:54 pm from AKR, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number NYC04LA211.