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An instructor pilot describes an engine problem and successful diversion to the closest airport.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1210100 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201409 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0601-1200 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Cessna 170 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Climb |
| Route In Use | None |
| Flight Plan | None |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Cylinder Head |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying Instructor |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 84 Flight Crew Total 8200 Flight Crew Type 100 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Airspace Violation All Types |
Narrative:
Departing ZZZ1 VFR at 1200 MSL across the [the water] staying clear of the class B airspace and navigating in the VFR corridor. Then heading toward ZZZ check point staying clear of the class D airspace. When heading toward the checkpoint following the VFR map on my fore flight ipad that's when my attention was detracted just inside the shoreline to a slight vibration of the engine. As I did my emergency checklist (checking fuel; mags; oil pressure) the engine continue to get more severe as we proceeded? Then it happen; a loud bang and engine sounded like it was coming apart. My first reaction to the extreme vibration was I thought a cylinder was coming apart. I glance outside to see my landing options and I was right over downtown. Freeway was not an option because of the heavy traffic and a high-density resident and business area; my next option was to declare an emergency into ZZZ; which in turn the tower gave me priority. With a high level of pucker factor I once again tried to figure what was the problem. Flying the airplane was my first priority and getting down safely. I did not bust the class D airspace intentionally but for survival. Upon reaching the ground and having the power to the parking area and opening the cowling; it was discovered a spark plug had blow out the left rear cylinder. The aircraft has a low time engine and just had the annual done two weeks prior and met all torque requirements.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: An instructor pilot describes an engine problem and successful diversion to the closest airport.
Narrative: Departing ZZZ1 VFR at 1200 MSL across the [the water] staying clear of the Class B airspace and navigating in the VFR corridor. Then heading toward ZZZ Check point staying clear of the Class D airspace. When heading toward the checkpoint following the VFR map on my Fore flight IPAD that's when my attention was detracted just inside the shoreline to a slight vibration of the engine. As I did my emergency checklist (checking fuel; mags; oil pressure) the engine continue to get more severe as we proceeded? Then it happen; a loud bang and engine sounded like it was coming apart. My first reaction to the extreme vibration was I thought a cylinder was coming apart. I glance outside to see my landing options and I was right over downtown. Freeway was not an option because of the heavy traffic and a high-density resident and business area; my next option was to declare an emergency into ZZZ; which in turn the tower gave me priority. With a high level of pucker factor I once again tried to figure what was the problem. Flying the airplane was my first priority and getting down safely. I did not bust the Class D airspace intentionally but for survival. Upon reaching the ground and having the power to the parking area and opening the cowling; it was discovered a spark plug had blow out the left rear cylinder. The aircraft has a low time engine and just had the annual done two weeks prior and met all torque requirements.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.