At approximately 16:50 PDT, a Cessna 172P made a forced landing in a field following a loss of power on climbout, seriously injuring the student pilot. The pilot was practicing touch-and-goes at the Auburn airport when, after the third touch-and-go, he noticed a reduction in RPM at 200 feet. During a test run after the accident, investigators could only get the engine to operate at a maximum of 1,700 to 1,800 RPM and it ran very rough. Compression tests showed no compression on the number 1 cylinder and the intake valve was found mechanically blocked open. Total time on the engine was 2,260 hours and it had not been overhauled since new. Recommended TBO on the engine is 2,000 hours.
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