# NTSB CHI92LA274: Cessna 172P, N5361K, St. Charles, MI, September 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 12, 1992, 11:44 local (15:44 UTC)
- Place: St. Charles, MI
- Coordinates: 43.290004, -84.139106 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2900&lon=-84.1391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15545
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA274
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15545/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA274

## Probable cause

THE JAMMING OF THE OIL PRESSURE PUMP CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE OIL PRESSURE PUMP DRIVEN IMPELLER. THE LACK OF A SUITABLE LANDING AREA WAS A FACTOR.

## 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
  - lubricating system,oil pressure pump - jammed (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE OIL PRESSURE READINGS STEADILY DECREASED AS THE SOLO STUDENT PILOT CARRIED OUT HIS SOLO CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. HE ELECTED TO DIVERT FROM HIS FLIGHT PLAN TO AN ALTERNATE AIRSTRIP THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND PRODUCE SMOKE. AS THE PILOT PROCEDED TO THE ALTERNATE DESTINATION, THE ENGINE FAILED COMPLETELY. THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A NEARBY MUDDY BEAN FIELD. UPON LANDING IN THE FIELD, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. INVESTIGATION OF THE OIL PUMP REVEALED THAT THE OIL PUMP DRIVEN IMPELLER HAD A BROKEN TOOTH, AS WELL AS BROKEN DRIVE TANGS ON THE OIL PUMP DRIVESHAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5361K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5361K), registered now, S/N 17274080, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274080
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Kal-Aero, Inc.
- Registered owner: Ellis III, John M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: AAIP, August 21, 1992, 27 hours before
- Departed: AZO, KALAMAZOO, MI
- Destination: MBS, SAGINAW, MI
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 49 total, 30 in this make and model, 18 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MBS, 16 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 19920912036479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920912036479A), Sep 12, 1992: Cessna 172P, St Charles, MI, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure. Engine seized. Nosed over in muddy field. Oil pump gear broke tooth which broke driveshaft tangs

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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