According to the pilot, the preflight engine run-up and takeoff were normal. About 30 minutes into the aerial observation flight, the Cessna 182’s engine began “popping” and running rough.
The pilot was unable to maintain sufficient engine RPMs and elected to return to the airport in Crowley, Louisiana, for a precautionary landing.
Based on the airplane’s location relative to the runway orientation, he performed a downwind landing. During the approach, the airplane was “a little high and fast;” however, he was committed to the landing due to the reduced engine performance. The airplane touched down, overran the end of the turf runway, hit a ditch, and came to rest upright.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.
A post-accident examination of the engine revealed the No. 4 engine cylinder exhaust valve was stuck, which resulted in a bent push rod and partial loss of engine power. Following the accident, a hurricane damaged the airplane, and further examination of the engine was unable to be conducted.
Probable Cause: The failure of the No. 4 cylinder exhaust valve that resulted in a partial loss of engine power. Based on available evidence, the reason for the failed valve was not determined.
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This August 2020 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Of course if we can get the lead out of Avgas, that will be the end of sticking valves. Too bad the FAA continues to opposed and drag their collective feet.
Well… no need for a top overhaul to avoid stuck valves and Lycoming seems to have predicted the frequency of stuck valves… Lycoming has service instructions to ream the valve guides every 300-500 hours (depending on fixed vs rotary wing use). This can be easily performed in a couple hours for 4-6 cylinders without removing cylinders using their recommended “rope” trick.
4,400+ hours since major overhaul. ??
They got their moneys worth out of the engine. Too bad they couldn’t anticipate the stuck valve.! Now the aircraft is totaled.
So, skipping a $9,000 top overhaul vs a totaled $150,000 aircraft.