# NTSB BFO93LA121: Cessna 404, N37167, Cincinnati, OH, July 12, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1993, 08:20 local (12:20 UTC)
- Place: Cincinnati, OH
- Location: 39.1035° N, 84.5153° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cincinnati, OH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1035&lon=-84.5153&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 8 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8788
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8788/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA121

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF A NUMBER THREE ENGINE CYLINDER HOLD DOWN BOLT DUE TO FATIGUE.

## 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
  - 1 engine
  - engine assembly,cylinder - separation
  - fuel system,line - disconnected
- Fire, cruise - normal

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE'S NUMBER TWO ENGINE FAILED AND CAUGHT FIRE.  THE PILOT PUT THE AIRPLANE IN A DIVE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FLIGHT DIVERTED TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE FIRE HAD BURNED THROUGH THE ENGINE COWLING AND DAMAGED THE RIGHT WING SPAR. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER THREE CYLINDER HAD SEPARATED FROM THE CRANKCASE AND THE ASSOCIATED FUEL INJECTOR LINE WAS DISCONNECTED FROM ITS FITTING.  METALLURGICAL EXAMINATIONS OF THE NUMBER THREE CYLINDER COMPONENTS REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER THREE CYLINDER HOLD DOWN BOLTS FAILED DUE TO FATIGUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37167](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37167-2009-05-26), registration cancelled 2009-05-26, S/N 404-0129, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 404
- Registry model: [Cessna 404](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-404) (registry code 2075901) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GTSI0-520-F-K](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsi0-520-f-k) (registry code 17031, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4040129
- Airframe hours: 8091
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-M 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Bowman Aviation
- Registered owner: Jat Aviation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1993, 54 hours before
- Departed: SMD, FT. WAYNE, IN
- Destination: GVL, GAINESVILLE, GA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 13,500 total, 300 in this make and model, 13,500 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19930712028139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930712028139A), Jul 12, 1993: Cessna 404CESSNA, Cincinnati, OH, Substantial damage. Right engine cylinder blew off. Caused engine fire. Landed safely. Appears cylinder hold down bolts improper torque

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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