# NTSB CHI93LA364: Cessna 172P, N52502, Fieldon, IL, September 16, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 16, 1993, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Fieldon, IL - Coordinates: 39.099079, -90.48957 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0991&lon=-90.4896&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9316 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA364 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9316/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA364 ## Probable cause PARTIAL FAILURE (DETERIORATION) OF THE #1 PISTON PIN PLUG, WHICH RESULTED IN CONTAMINATION OF THE LUBRICATING SYSTEM AND FAILURE OF THE #3 CONNECTING ROD. ## 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 - engine assembly,piston - failure,partial (cause) - lubricating system - contamination (cause) - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing ## Analysis DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THERE WAS A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING ONTO AN OPEN FIELD, AND THE AIRPLANE WAS DAMAGED. POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE #1 PISTON PIN PLUG HAD DETERIORATED TO A FRACTION OF ITS ORIGINAL SIZE. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE METAL PARTICULATE MATTER IN THE OIL FILTER AND THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE. THE CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS WERE DISTORTED AND DISCOLORED, AND THE #3 CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED. ## Factual narrative On September 16, 1993, about 1200 central daylight time, a Cessna 172P airplane, N52502, experienced loss of engine power during cruise flight and landed off-airport near Fieldon, Illinois. The airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot and passenger reported no injury. Visual meteorological conditions existed beneath an overcast. The personal flight originated from Bethalto, Illinois, about 1135 without a flight plan and operated under 14 CFR 91. The pilot states that while cruising at 2000 feet the sound of the engine changed. The pilot observed that the oil pressure gauge showed no pressure and the oil temperature gauge showed a normal temperature. After reducing the power, the pilot reported to ATC that he was experiencing an engine problem and was going to make a forced landing. The pilot states that the engine continually lost engine power and quit on final approach to an open field. The engine was disassembled at the manufacturer, Textron Lycoming, under the supervision of an FAA Inspector, on November 18, 1993. Inspection of the engine revealed a fractured connecting rod in the number three cylinder, a piston pin plug in the number one cylinder which had deteriorated into a small ball approximately one-tenth its normal size, extensive metal particulate matter contamination of the oil filter and throughout the engine, and distorted and discolored rod bearings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N52502](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52502-2012-09-12), registration cancelled 2012-09-12, S/N 17274542 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172-74542 - Airframe hours: 2438 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Premier Air Center - Registered owner: Premier Air Center - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 26, 1993, 36 hours before - Departed: IS84, BETHALTO, IL - Destination: IS84 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,375 total, 800 in this make and model, 1,375 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 8 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °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 19930916034919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930916034919A), Sep 16, 1993: Cessna 172P, Fieldon, IL, Substantial damage. Losing power en route. Engine quit on approach to a field. Engine had broken connecting rod and worn piston pin. ## Other investigations on N52502 (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 CHI99LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA040), Nov 27, 1998: Cessna 172P (N52502), Brainerd, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The visual lookout not obtained/maintained by the pilot of the other aircraft. Contributing factors were the unicom frequency not selected and the traffic advisory not issued by the pilot of the… 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.