# NTSB ATL90LA005: Cessna 120, N1829N, Maysville, KY, October 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1989, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Maysville, KY
- Coordinates: 38.619117, -83.779144 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6191&lon=-83.7791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8166
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8166/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA005

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANES ENGINE BY THE PILOT/OWNER RESULTING IN FIVE ROCKER BOX COVER SCREWS BEING MISSING AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE OIL DUE TO THE COVER VIBRATING AND CAUSING A HOLE TO BE WORN IN IT. SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO LOSS OF ENGINE OIL RESULTED IN A FORCE LANDING AT WHICH TIME THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - maintenance,inspection - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine assembly,other - loose
  - engine assembly,other - missing
  - engine assembly,other - worn
  - fluid,oil - loss,total
  - engine assembly - loss,partial
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,static

## Analysis

ENGINE LOST POWER WHEN ALL OIL WAS LOST FROM ENGINE IN FLIGHT THROUGH HOLE IN ROCKER BOX COVER WHICH WAS RESULT OF 5 OF 6 SECURING SCREWS BEING MISSING AND COVER VIBRATING AGAINST ROCK ARM. AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH POWERLINES DURING SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING. PLT/OWNER STATED HE HAD INSPECTED ALL NUTS AND BOLTS 16 FLIGHT HOURS BEFORE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1829N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1829N), registered now, S/N 12073, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12073
- Airframe hours: 1815
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rodney D. Bush
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 1989, 30 hours before
- Departed: KY29, FARRINGTON, KY
- Destination: PMH, PORTSMOUTH, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 735 total, 600 in this make and model, 671 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19891008041299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891008041299A), Oct 8, 1989: Cessna STC120, Maysville, KY, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure and vibration. Struck wires on forced landing. Rocker box came off NR2 cylinder. Screws missing.

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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