# NTSB CEN12LA508: Cessna 172M, N12504, South Wayne, WI, July 10, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 2012, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: South Wayne, WI
- Coordinates: 42.566665, -90.116668 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5667&lon=-90.1167&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO Milwaukee
- NTSB case key (mKey): 84554
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA508
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84554/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84554
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA508

## Probable cause

Internal engine component failures, which resulted from oil starvation due to debris in the oil system.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Fluids: oil](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md)
- [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md)
- [Eng oil sys (airframe furnish): eng oil dist (airframe furn)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057920): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057920/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057920/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, after about 2 hours 20 minutes of uneventful flight and while cruising at 4,500 ft mean sea level, the engine rpm decreased. He applied carburetor heat, and, about 2 minutes later, the engine rpm decreased to about 1,500, the oil pressure dropped to 0, and the propeller stopped. The oil temperature indicator in the cockpit was in the normal range. The pilot chose to execute a forced landing in a soybean field since an airport was not within glide distance. Upon touchdown in the field, the airplane flipped over and then came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane wreckage revealed that a sufficient quantity of oil (about 5 quarts) was present in the engine and that the lubrication system was intact and appeared to be in compliance with applicable airworthiness directives. However, two pieces of foreign plasticlike material, which were about 1/4 inch by 3/8 inch and 1/4 inch by 5/16 inch, respectively, were found lodged in the oil sump screen. The debris likely blocked oil distribution to the engine, which resulted in oil starvation and the subsequent connecting rod failure. It could not be determined how the debris got into the oil system; the exact source of the debris also could not be determined.

## Factual narrative

On July 10, 2012, approximately 1245 central daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N12504, registered to a private individual, sustained substantial damage while landing in a field after a loss of engine power near South Wayne, Wisconsin. The airline transport rated pilot sustained minor injuries, and one passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the personal cross country flight being conducted under the provisions of Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated at 1230 from Kokomo, Indiana, and was enroute to St. Paul, Minnesota (SGS).The passenger had just purchased the airplane in Kokomo, Indiana, and the intent of the flight was to return the airplane to his home base in St. Paul, Minnesota. After 2 hours and 20 minutes of uneventful flight, cruising at 4,500 feet msl, the engine RPM decreased. The pilot applied carburetor heat and about 2 minutes later, the engine RPM decreased to about 1500 RPMs, the oil pressure dropped to zero, and the propeller stopped. The oil temperature indicator in the cockpit was in the normal range. The pilot elected to execute a forced landing in a soy bean field since an airport was not within glide distance. Upon touchdown in the field, the airplane flipped inverted which resulted in substantial damage to the empennage and left wing. Both occupants exited the airplane and were transported to the hospital. The pilot stated that he had back pain. The airplane wreckage was evaluated by FAA inspectors who traveled to the accident site. A sufficient quantity of oil (about 5 quarts) was present in the engine. The lubrication system appeared to be intact and in compliance with applicable airworthiness directives. There were connecting rod failures which appeared to have resulted from oil starvation. Further examination revealed two pieces of foreign plastic-like material lodged in the oil sump screen. The two pieces dimensions' were approximately 1/4 inches x 3/8 inches, and 1/4 inches x 5/16 inches, respectively.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12504](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12504-2018-02-15), registration cancelled 2018-02-15, S/N 17262027, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M (2300)
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17262027
- Airframe hours: 2508
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard Smith
- Registered owner: Richard Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 2011, 23 hours before
- Departed: OKK, Kokomo, IN
- Destination: SGS, St. Paul, MN
- Airport: EFT, Monroe Municipal Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 20, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 12,942 total, 950 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observed at: EFT, 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 20120710016249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120710016249A), Jul 10, 2012: Cessna 172M, South Wayne, WI, Substantial damage. Aircraft was enroute from kokomo, in (okk) to south st. paul, MN (sgs). While in cruise flight at 4,500 ft., the engine seized and the propeller stopped. The…

## Docket (9 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 20, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84554. 7.5 MB in all.

- NTSB Form 6120 Pilot Operator Report (item 1, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417130&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Pilot%20Operator%20Report%20-Redacted.PDF
- Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 662 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417131&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 Airplane Wreckage (item 3, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417133&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20Airplane%20Wreckage%20-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 Airplane Wreckage Side View (item 4, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417135&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20Airplane%20Wreckage%20Side%20View%20-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 Engine Connecting Rod and Piston (item 5, .PDF, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417136&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20Engine%20Connecting%20Rod%20and%20Piston%20-Master.PDF
- Photo 4 Close-up of Engine Connecting Rod and Piston (item 6, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417137&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20Close-up%20of%20Engine%20Connecting%20Rod%20and%20Piston%20-Master.PDF
- Photo 5 Close-up of Piston Damage (item 7, .PDF, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417139&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20Close-up%20of%20Piston%20Damage%20-Master.PDF
- Photo 6 Foreign Debris found in Engine (item 8, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417140&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206%20Foreign%20Debris%20found%20in%20Engine%20-Master.PDF
- Photo 7 Close-up of Foreign Debris found in Engine to Scale (item 9, .PDF, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417141&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207%20Close-up%20of%20Foreign%20Debris%20found%20in%20Engine%20to%20Scale%20-Master.PDF

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.