# Accident 19980815031349A: Cessna 175C, Alberton, MT, August 15, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 15, 1998
- Place: Alberton, MT
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 46.8496° N, 113.9894° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8496&lon=-113.9894&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8512X, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8512X-2013-04-29) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 175C (registry code 2072508, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental GO-300 series (registry code 17024, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175C
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA98LA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA166) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980815031349A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23)THE PILOT STATED THAT HIS WIFE NOTICED SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. WHEN HE REMOVED HIS SUNGLASSES, HE CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT.  HE ALSO NOTICED THE SMELL OF SMOKE.  WHEN HE SCANNED THE ENGINE GAGES, HE NOTICED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE GAGE INDICATED ZERO PRESSURE.  HE STARTED LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO LAND.  THE ENGINE STARTED TO SPUTTER AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED (1-2 MINUTES).  THE PILOT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD.  DURING THE LANDING, THE NOSE WHEEL STRUCK A ROCK (APPROXIMATELY 130 YARDS FROM TOUCH DOWN POINT) WHICH BROKE THE WHEEL FLANGE DEFLATING THE TIRE.  TE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED ON FOR ANOTHER 120 YARDS THROUGH A FENCE LINE.  THE NOSE GEAR STRUCK A SMALL PINE TREE (6FT) 20 YARDS FROM THE FENCE LINE WHICH RIPPED THE ENTIRE NOSE GEAR ASSEMBLY FROM THE AIRCRAFT.  THE NOSE GEAR AND LOWER COWLING DUG INTO THE GROUND CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO FLIP INVERTED.  THE PILOT AND PASSENGER EXITED THE AIRCRAFT UNINJURED.  THERE WAS NO POST CRASH FIRE.  AN ONSITE INVESTIGATION REVEALED A 6 INCH HOLE IN THE RIGHT ENGIEN CRANKCASE ABOVE THE #3 CYLINDER.  UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE OIL FILLER TUBE AND CAP WERE MISSING FROM THE AIRCRAFT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB SEA98LA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA166), Aug 15, 1998: Cessna 175 (N8512X), Missoula, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: A complete loss of crankcase oil due to a missing oil filler tube followed by the failure of a connecting rod. Factors include encountering a small pine tree during the landing roll.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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