# NTSB ATL97LA136: Cessna A188B, N53172, Zellwood, FL, September 22, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 22, 1997, 09:33 local (13:33 UTC) - Place: Zellwood, FL - Coordinates: 28.72937, -81.59999 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7294&lon=-81.6000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3902 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3902/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA136 ## Probable cause failure of mechanics to adequately torque the crankcase through-bolts following a top overhaul, which subsequently resulted in a crankshaft failure. Soft/uneven terrain in the emergency landing area was a related factor. ## 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, maneuvering - aerial application - maintenance,top overhaul - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - engine assembly,other - undertorqued (cause) - engine assembly,crankshaft - fatigue (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis According to the pilot, a loss of engine power occurred, while he was applying insecticide to a farm. A force landing was made in a plowed field. During the landing, the airplane encountered a small ditch in soft terrain, and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the maintenance records revealed that a top overhaul of the engine had been accomplished, 7 days before the accident. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed a fractured crankshaft. Multiple origin sites of the fracture were found from the surface of the journal radius. There was evidence that inadequate torque had been applied to the crankcase through-bolts. The #2 main bearing had moved fore and aft in the bearing bore and had rotated in the crankcase; there was heavy fretting at the #2 and #3 main bearing boss parting surfaces; and there was evidence of severe pounding from lack of support that had started a breakup of the #2 bearing. ## Factual narrative On September 22, 1997, about 0933 eastern daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N53172, collided with a ditch after an emergency landing in Zellwood, Florida. The airplane was operated by Aduda & Sons under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137. A flight plan was not filed for the aerial application flight. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from a grass strip near the accident site at about 0900. The pilot stated that after about 15 minutes of spraying, and nearing the end of his load he initiated a pull up for a turn around following a west to east pass. At approximately 100 feet above ground level (AGL) in a left pitch out, the engine lost most of its power. The pilot force landed in a carrot field and collided with a ditch, substantially damaging the airplane. Post accident examination of the engine revealed a fractured crankshaft at the number two main bearing forward radius. The inside of the crankcase and the camshaft showed evidence of rubbing. There was fretting on the number two main bearing supports and on the lower number three. The number 2 crankshaft main journal showed score marks on the journal surface. A small crack was found on the outside of the crankcase by the number two cylinder. The engine logbooks indicated that a top overhaul had been accomplished on September 15, 1997, 7 days prior to the accident. During the overhaul, the cylinders were removed and new piston rings were installed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53172](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53172-1999-04-12), registration cancelled 1999-04-12, S/N 18801662T (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna A188B - Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18801662T - Airframe hours: 3067 - Engines: Continental IO-520-F 280 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Aduda & Sons - Registered owner: Erue Brothers Incorporated - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 1997, 1,573 hours before - Departed: PVT, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 12,904 total, 3,665 in this make and model, 12,758 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ORL, 22 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 19970922027939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970922027939A), Sep 22, 1997: Cessna A188B, Zellwood, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power during a spray run turn around. Hit ditch landing. Found broken crankshaft. Recent top overhaul. (.4)according to the pilot, a loss of engine power… ## Other investigations on N53172 (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 MIA85LKG05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LKG05), Aug 16, 1985: Cessna L-188 (N53172), Camilla, GA, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.