# NTSB CEN16LA309: Cessna 172K, N46459, Neenah, WI, August 2, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 2, 2016, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Neenah, WI - Coordinates: 44.217777, -88.549446 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2178&lon=-88.5494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 12, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93785 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16LA309 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93785/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93785 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA309 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to oil starvation, which resulted from the pilot, who was not a certified airframe and powerplant mechanic, removing the vacuum pump from the engine, and his misconception that he could operate the airplane without the pump. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) - [Maintenance: unauthorized maint/repair](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062040/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062040/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Fluids: oil](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: perception](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was conducting the first flight in the airplane after having removed a failed vacuum pump from the engine; the pilot was not a certified airframe and powerplant mechanic. During the flight, the engine lost power, and the pilot subsequently landed the airplane on a highway, and the left wing contacted a road sign, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot reported that he had recently had a mechanic remove a failed vacuum pump on a different airplane that he owned and that he was able to fly that airplane without the pump. As a result, he thought he could also fly the accident airplane without a vacuum pump. However, the vacuum pumps were mounted on each airplane differently, and the pilot's removal of the vacuum pump on the accident airplane allowed oil to exit the engine through the drive gear opening on the accessory case, which resulted in oil starvation. ## Factual narrative On August 2, 2016, at 1830 central daylight time, a Cessna 172K, N46459, collided with a road sign during an off airport forced landing on Highway 10 in Neenah, Wisconsin, following a loss of engine power. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane received substantial damage to the left wing. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated from the Brennand Airport (79C), Neenah, Wisconsin, at 1815. The pilot reported that he owned another airplane, an RV7 that was equipped with a Jabiru 5100 engine. The vacuum pump on that engine recently failed so a mechanic removed it until a new one was received. The vacuum pump on the Jabiru 5100 is fitted to the alternator mounting flange and the drive pad is dry. The pilot was told that he could fly the airplane without the vacuum pump installed which he did uneventfully for about 6 hours. While flying the accident airplane, a Cessna 172, three days prior to the accident, the pilot noted the directional gyro and attitude indicator where not working. Because of the past experience with a vacuum pump failure on the RV7, he identified the problem as being a vacuum pump failure. The pilot held a Repairman Experimental Aircraft Builder certificate for the RV7, and stated that because he was comfortable working on that airplane, he decided to remove the vacuum pump from the accident airplane himself. He did not install a cover plate over the vacuum pump mounting pad. In addition, since he was able to fly the RV7 without a vacuum pump, he believed he could also fly the accident airplane without a vacuum pump installed. During the first flight after removing the vacuum pump, the airplane sustained a loss of engine power. The pilot landed the airplane on a highway, and while traveling up an exit ramp, the left wing contacted a road sign. The airplane spun around and came to rest in a ditch. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed the engine suffered oil exhaustion when the oil exited the engine through the vacuum pump mount in the accessory case. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N46459](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46459-2020-02-12), registration cancelled 2020-02-12, S/N 17257282, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K - Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17257282 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 4640.6 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 2016 - Departed: 79C, Neenah, WI - Destination: 79C, Neenah, WI - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 11, 2015; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,610 total, 1,262 in this make and model, 1,610 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: ATW, 3 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 20160802013759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160802013759A), Aug 2, 2016: Cessna 172K, Neenah, WI, Substantial damage. On August 3, 2016 at 6:15PM Cessna 172K, registered as N46459 left Brennand Airport with 1 pilot and two passengers on board for a pleasure flight under CFR… ## Other investigations on N46459 (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 CHI03LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA017), Oct 17, 2002: Cessna 172 (N46459), Neenah, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot failed to maintain clearance from the post. Factors included the post and the sun glare. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 25, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93785. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443729&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.