# NTSB ATL96LA008: Cessna 182H, N70535, Tuscaloosa, AL, October 22, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1995, 16:22 local (21:22 UTC)
- Place: Tuscaloosa, AL
- Coordinates: 33.170181, -87.620346 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1702&lon=-87.6203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 6, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3668
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3668/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA008

## Probable cause

Fatigue failure of the number one piston assembly, which resulted in a loss of engine power.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - engine assembly,piston - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, emergency landing

## Analysis

Shortly after takeoff, the pilot reported a complete loss of engine power. He selected an emergency landing area south of the airport for a forced landing. During the emergency landing, the main landing gear was torn from the airframe, and the airplane nosed over. An examination of the engine assembly, disclosed that there was a hole in the engine case below the right magneto. A teardown examination of the engine disclosed that debris from the number one piston was scattered throughout the engine crankcase. Examination of piston debris, from the piston pin area, exhibited evidence of fatigue cracking.

## Factual narrative

On October 22, 1995, at 1622 central daylight time, a Cessna 182H, N70535, nosed over in a field while attempting an emergency landing two miles south of the Tuscaloosa Municipal Airport in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The sightseeing flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot and three passengers received minor injuries. The flight departed Tuscaloosa at 1617 hours.

Shortly after takeoff, the pilot radioed the tower and reported a complete loss of engine power. The controller cleared the flight for an emergency landing to any runway. The pilot told the controller that he could not make the runway, and would attempt a forced landing to a field south of the airport. During the emergency landing, the main landing gear was torn from the airframe, and the airplane nosed over.

The engine examination, disclosed that there was a hole in the engine case below the right magneto. The engine teardown further disclosed that the number one piston was shattered, and pieces of piston debris were recovered from the engine crankcase. Examination of the fractured piston debris disclosed that the piston failed in fatigue at the piston pin bore section. Pistons number three and five also exhibited fatigue cracking in the piston pin boss structure. The examination of the piston debris exhibited evidence of internal piston crown baked deposits. These type deposits are normally associated with high engine operating temperatures.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N70535 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182H
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18259291
- Airframe hours: 2737
- Engines: Continental O-470-G 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Samurai Construction Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 22, 1995, 347 hours before
- Departed: TCL
- Airport: TCL, Tuscaloosa Municipal, runway 22, 6,499 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,212 total, 50 in this make and model, 1,125 as pilot in command, 108 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TCL, 2 nm away

## 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 19951022033749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951022033749A), Oct 22, 1995: Cessna 182H, Tuscaloosa, AL, Substantial damage. Lost power. Nosed over in open field. NR1 piston shattered. Rod made hole in case. All others cracked by overheat.

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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