Cessna 172F Skyhawk, N5340R: Accident occurred July 11, 2021 in Eagle Butte, South Dakota

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. 

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Rapid City, South Dakota

https://registry.faa.gov/N5340R

Location: Eagle Butte, SD

Accident Number: CEN21LA316

Date & Time: July 11, 2021, 09:15 Local

Registration: N5340R

Aircraft: Cessna 172F

Injuries: 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On July 11, 2021, about 0915 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172F, N5340R sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Eagle Butte, South Dakota. The pilot was uninjured. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that, when he was about 6 miles from the Cheyenne Eagle Butte Airport (84D), he noticed the engine’s oil temperature was high followed by a “clattering noise.” He reduced the engine power by about 100 rpm and diverted to 84D. About 2 miles from the airport, the engine lost all power. Unable to reach the runway, he elected to execute a forced landing to a wheat field. During touchdown, the nose wheel impacted rising terrain, which caused the airplane to bounce. When it touched back down, the nose gear separated and the airplane flipped over, coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left lift strut and fuselage.

A post-accident examination revealed a large hole in the forward section of the engine case. (See figure 1) 

A detailed engine examination is pending.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna

Registration: N5340R

Model/Series: 172F

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Amateur Built: No

Operator: On file

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: 

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KD07,2580 ft msl 

Observation Time: 05:56 Local

Distance from Accident Site: 32 Nautical Miles 

Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C /9°C

Lowest Cloud Condition: Unknown 

Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots / , 240°

Lowest Ceiling: Unknown 

Visibility:

Altimeter Setting: 30.13 inches Hg

Type of Flight Plan Filed:

Departure Point: Pierre, SD (KPIR)

Destination: Eagle Butte, SD

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 None

Latitude, Longitude: 44.989766,-101.2589 (est)