# NTSB CHI92LA226: Cessna 175A, N6853E, East Lansing, MI, August 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1992, 10:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: East Lansing, MI
- Location: 42.7489° N, 84.4824° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of East Lansing, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7489&lon=-84.4824&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15506
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15506/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA226

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING CRUISE FLIGHT.  RELATED FACTORS ARE THE LOOSE OIL FILLER CAP, AND THE SHORT, WET GRASS STRIP USED FOR THE EMERGENCY LANDING.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - lubricating system,oil filler cap - not secured (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 3,000 FEET WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND HE NOTED A DROP IN OIL PRESSURE.  HE PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING ON A GRASS AIRSTRIP AT AN UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT.  THE AIRPLANE RAN OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY, ACROSS A ROAD AND CAME TO REST INVERTED IN A DITCH.  POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF ENGINE OIL ALL OVER THE WINGS, TAIL SECTION, AND THE SIDES AND BOTTOM OF THE FUSELAGE.  THE OIL FILLER CAP WAS LOOSE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, ATTACHED BY ITS CHAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6853E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6853E-1993-01-05), registration cancelled 1993-01-05, S/N 56353 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175A
- Registry model: [Cessna 175A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175a) (registry code 2072504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 56353
- Airframe hours: 3484
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GO-300C 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Conroy, Robert J.
- Registered owner: Conroy, Robert J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 1992, 30 hours before
- Departed: 5G9, OTTAWA LAKE, MI
- Airport: 2D8, East Lansing, runway 4, 1,950 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 335 total, 20 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAN, 5 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 19920806029609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920806029609A), Aug 6, 1992: Cessna 175A, East Lansing, MI, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure and power. Vecterd by ATC to private strip. Overshot short wet grass strip. Oil cap found off.

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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