# NTSB CHI92LA216: Cessna 150H, N22923, Bowlus, MN, July 29, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1992, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Bowlus, MN
- Coordinates: 45.819538, -94.39923 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8195&lon=-94.3992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15501
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA216
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15501/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA216

## Probable cause

THE FRACTURE OF THE NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER'S CONNECTING ROD CAP.

## 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
  - engine assembly,connecting rod cap - fractured (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - fractured
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A NEARBY ROAD, BUT WAS UNABLE TO SEE POWERLINES AND A UTILITY POLE OBSTRUCTING HIS GLIDE PATH DUE TO A FILM OF OIL ON THE WIND SHIELD FROM THE RUPTURED ENGINE CASE. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE POWERLINES AND POLE AND LANDED IN AN ADJACENT FIELD. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DISCLOSED A FRACTURED CONNECTING ROD CAP AND ROD CAP BOLT IN THE NUMBER 4 CYLINDER. BOTH OF THE CASTELLATED NUTS WERE GONE FROM THE  ROD CAP BOLTS. ONE OF THE BOLTS HAD REMNANTS OF A COTTER KEY REMAINING IN THE KEYWAY, THE OTHER BOLT DID NOT. ONE CASTELLATED NUT FITTING A ROD CAP BOLT WAS FOUND IN THE OIL PAN. THE NUT'S NORMALLY SHARP EDGES WERE WORN SMOOTH AND SHINY, GIVING THE APPEARANCE THE NUT HAD BEEN IN THE SUMP FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. THE ENGINE'S LAST MAJOR OVERHAUL WAS 946 SERVICE HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N22923 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15068617
- Airframe hours: 2976
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Buffalo Aircraft Sales
- Registered owner: Buffalo Aircraft Sales
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 27, 1991, 161 hours before
- Departed: VVV, ORTONVILLE, MN
- Destination: LXL, LITTLE FALLS, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private, foreign; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 455 total, 157 in this make and model, 324 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920729028019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920729028019A), Jul 29, 1992: Cessna 150H, Bowlus, MN, Substantial damage. Engine threw a connecting rod through engine case. Hit wires and pole on forced landing due oil on windshield.

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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