# NTSB CHI97LA085: Cessna 172, N171AS, Marquette, MI, March 11, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 11, 1997, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Marquette, MI - Coordinates: 46.549766, -87.389701 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5498&lon=-87.3897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10528 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA085 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10528/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA085 ## Probable cause multiple oil leaks in the engine lubrication system. Factors were the disconnected wet vacuum pump line and the oil exhaustion. ## 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 - leak (cause) - engine accessories,vacuum pump - leak (contributing factor) - lubricating system - exhaustion (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis The pilot reported that smoke started to enter the cabin from the heater vent. He shut the vent and scanned the engine instruments. He noted there was 'no oil pressure.' The engine 'started running very rough and shaking.' He 'shut the engine down to minimize vibration...established best glide angle' and conducted a forced landing in a wooded swamp. The airplane sustained substantial damage during the landing. Examination of the wreckage revealed the 'lower oil separator hose' was not connected to the wet vacuum pump. The number one and two connecting rod bolts were necked and fractured. Corresponding holes were punched in the crankcase. The left magneto gasket and the starter motor mounting flange exhibited evidence of oil leakage. Combustion deposits and spark plugs in the number three cylinder exhibited evidence of 'possible high oil consumption.' The operator of the airplane reported that he had 'topped off' the engine oil prior to the origination of the accident flight. ## Factual narrative On March 11, 1997, at 1330 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172, N171AS, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing, following a reported loss of engine oil pressure, near Marquette, Michigan. The student pilot reported minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91, instructional flight had departed Manistique, Michigan, at 1230, with a planned destination of Iron Mountain, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. In his written statement, the pilot reported that smoke started to enter the cabin from the heater vent. He shut the vent and scanned the engine instruments. He noted there was "no oil pressure." The engine "started running very rough and shaking." He "shut the engine down to minimize vibration...established best glide angle" and conducted a forced landing in a wooded swamp. The airplane sustained substantial damage during the landing. The pilot was recovered from the accident site by a U. S. Coast Guard helicopter about 1700. The Federal Aviation Administration Inspector who examined the wreckage reported that the lower fuselage was covered with oil. He reported that the "lower oil separator hose" was not connected to the wet vacuum pump. During a telephone interview, the operator of the airplane reported that he had "topped off" the engine oil prior to the origination of the accident flight. The engine was examined at Teledyne Continental Motors, Mobile, Alabama, on June 4, 1997. The oil sump contained "residual" oil and metallic debris. The number one and two connecting rod bolts were necked and fractured. Corresponding holes were punched in the crankcase. The number one exhaust lifter was located in the sump. The left magneto gasket and starter motor mounting flange exhibited evidence of oil leakage. Combustion deposits in the number three cylinder exhibited evidence of "possible high oil consumption" and both number three spark plugs were oil fouled. The engine oil pump was intact. Crankcase main bearings, journals, and connecting rod bearings exhibited signatures of oil starvation. No evidence of fatigue or progressive failure was noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N171AS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N171AS-2023-08-18), registration cancelled 2023-08-18, S/N 17248037, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17248037 - Airframe hours: 6406 - Engines: Continental O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Ans Aviaiton - Registered owner: Anthony Seccia - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 1996, 57 hours before - Departed: ISQ, MANISTIQUE, MI - Destination: IMT, IRON MOUNTAIN, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 73 total, 73 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 14 knots, gusting 3 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °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 19970311003049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970311003049A), Mar 11, 1997: Cessna 172B, Marquette, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft lost oil pressure while en route and made an emergency landing. (.4)the pilot reported that smoke started to enter the cabin from the heater vent. He… 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.