# NTSB ATL88LA115: Cessna 172K, N78840, Butler, AL, March 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1988, 08:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Butler, AL
- Coordinates: 32.079696, -88.219436 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0797&lon=-88.2194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7719
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7719/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA115

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - fluid,oil - pressure too low (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly - vibration (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - collapsed

## Analysis

THE PLT RPTD THAT HE OBSERVED THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE INDICATION DROP TO ZERO DURING A LOW-LEVEL PIPELINE PATROL FLIGHT. HE ATTEMPTED TO INCREASE ENGINE PWR AND INITIATE A CLIMB, BUT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. HE SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED ON THE PIPELINE RIGHT-OF-WAY, WHERE THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH ROUGH TERRAIN AND NOSED OVER. POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. SUBSEQUENT ENGINE TEST-RUNS REVEALED NORMAL OIL PRESSURE INDICATIONS, ON BOTH THE COCKPIT GAUGE AND AN EXTERNAL, DIRECT-READING GAUGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78840](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78840-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 17257786, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17257786
- Airframe hours: 14460
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Mccords Aerial Patrol Systems
- Registered owner: Mc Cord'S Aerial Patrol
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 18, 1987, 58 hours before
- Departed: ALEXANDER CITY, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 23,000 total, 7,000 in this make and model, 19,500 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880315071729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880315071729A), Mar 15, 1988: Cessna 172K, Butler, AL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on pipeline patrol. Landed on rough pipeline clearing and nosed over. Possible carburetor icing.

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.

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