# NTSB ATL99LA023: Cessna 175, N565ML, Locust Grove, GA, November 25, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1998, 15:25 local (20:25 UTC)
- Place: Locust Grove, GA
- Coordinates: 33.340747, -84.099121 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3407&lon=-84.0991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 45386
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45386/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA023

## Probable cause

Loss of engine power due to a gear train failure in the accessory gearbox for undetermined reasons. A factor was the rough and uneven terrain.

## 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 - normal
  - accessory drive assy - failure,partial (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, while flying at cruise, the engine lost power over a 10 to 15 second period. There was no sputtering or shaking associated with the loss of power. Lining up with the contours of the pasture, the pilot attempted an emergency landing. After touchdown the airplane nosed over inverted. Examination of the engine disclosed a gear train failure in the accessory gearbox, which prevented the camshaft from actuating the valves, and allowed only one magneto drive to rotate when the propeller was turned. The engine was not disassembled for further examination.

## Factual narrative

On November 25, 1998, about 1525 Eastern Standard Time, a Cessna 175, N565ML, collided with the ground in a cow pasture while attempting an emergency landing following an engine failure in Locust Grove, Georgia.   The airplane was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.  The pilot and sole occupant sustained minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage.  Origination of the flight was Mallards Landing in Locust Grove, Georgia, at 1500.

According to the pilot, while flying at cruise, the engine lost power over a 10 to 15 second period. There was no sputtering or shaking associated with the loss of power. Lining up with the contours of the pasture, the pilot attempted an emergency landing. After touchdown the airplane nosed over inverted.

Examination of the engine disclosed a gear train failure in the accessory gearbox, which prevented the camshaft from actuating the valves, and allowed only one magneto drive to rotate when the propeller was turned.  According to the FAA Inspector who examined the airplane, the engine was not disassembled for further examination. Review of the maintenance records found that the engine was last overhauled on December 6, 1984.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N565ML](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N565ML-2001-04-12), registration cancelled 2001-04-12, S/N 55420 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 175
- Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 55420
- Airframe hours: 3523
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph B. Levy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 16, 1998, 1 hours before
- Departed: PVT, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 267 total, 218 in this make and model, 267 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL, 10 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 19981125046959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981125046959A), Nov 25, 1998: Locustgrove, GA, No damage. (-23) The pilot was enroute to mallard's landing, where he lived, when he lost RPM then engine power. Unable to make it to his destination, which was a couple…

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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