# Accident 20230810014569A: Cessna 175, Wetumpka, AL, August 10, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 10, 2023, 08:00 local time
- Place: Wetumpka, AL
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.4554° N, 86.1192° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4554&lon=-86.1192&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7117M, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7117M) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 175 (registry code 2072502, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental GO-300 series (registry code 17024, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR GO-300 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 162 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA23LA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA331) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230810014569A

## Narrative

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

AFTER DEPARTURE FROM JACKSONVILLE, FL, AIRCRAFT WAS OPERATING NORMALLY.  PILOT REPORTED HE FELT THE ENGINE SHUDDER MOMENTARILY THEN NOTICED A MASSIVE OIL LEAK WITH AN ACCOMPANINING LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND AT A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP HE HAD JUST NOTICED.  HE STATED HE WAS TOO HIGH AND FAST TO MAKE THE RUNWAY AND WAS CONCERNED THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE DUE TO OBSERVED SPARKS AND SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COWLING.  HE INITIATED A RAPID DECENT TO EXTINGUISH ANY FIRE BUT THIS CAUSED HIM TO LOOSE TOO MUCH ALTITUDE TO REACH THE RUNWAY. KNOWING HE WOULD NOT MAKE THE RUNWAY, HE SLOWED TO NEARLY STALL SPEED AND CONTACTED THE SURROUNDING TREE CANOPY. AT A RELATIVELY SLOW SPEED, THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE TREE TOPS CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT AS IT FELL THROUGH THE TREES.  THE PILOT WAS UNINJURED.

## 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 ERA23LA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA331), Aug 11, 2023: Cessna 175 (N7117M), Wetumpka, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to the separation of the No. 3 connecting rod from the crankshaft.

## Other reports on N7117M (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19771205043099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19771205043099A), Dec 5, 1977: Cessna 175 (N7117M), Anoka, MN, Substantial damage. One row of runway edge lights inoperative and rt side of rwy not plowed to full width.

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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