# NTSB CHI97LA091: Cessna 152, N6359M, Ft. Leavenworth, KS, March 26, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 26, 1997, 14:26 local (20:26 UTC) - Place: Ft. Leavenworth, KS - Coordinates: 39.360641, -94.909553 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3606&lon=-94.9096&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 24, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10534 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10534/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA091 ## Probable cause fatigue failure and separation of the number 2 cylinder. A factor was the rough terrain. ## 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, takeoff - initial climb - engine assembly,cylinder - fatigue (cause) - engine assembly,cylinder - separation - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - landing gear,nose gear - overload - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The CFI reported that after takeoff at an altitude of about 300 feet above the ground the airplane started to '...vibrate severely, followed almost immediately by a loud bang in the engine compartment.' The CFI made a left turn to return to the airport and was cleared to land. He reported hearing another loud bang at which time the forward left portion of the cowling distorted. A forced landing was made in a field during which the nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. Postaccident inspection and metallurgical examination revealed the number 2 cylinder separated between the mounting flange and the head due to fatigue. ## Factual narrative On March 26, 1997, at 1426 central standard time, a Cessna 152, N6359M operated by the Ft. Leavenworth Flying Club nosed over during a forced landing at the Sherman Army Airfield, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. The certified flight instructor reported a loss of engine power during the initial takeoff climb from runway 15. Neither the certified flight instructor (CFI) nor the student pilot on board were injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The local 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The CFI reported that engine operated normally during the engine run-up. He reported they departed on runway 15 and were cleared to make a right turn after takeoff. The CFI reported that since there was a strong crosswind he performed the takeoff. He reported that during the takeoff climb at an altitude of about 300 feet above ground level (agl) he lowered the nose to increase airspeed. It was at this time that the "... airplane started to vibrate severely, followed almost immediately by a loud bang in the engine compartment." He reported that he made an immediate left turn and informed the air traffic control tower that they were having engine problems. The CFI continued to report, "While the tower was clearing us to land, there was another loud bang from the engine compartment, more loud and intense than the one before. At the same time as the bang occurred, the forward left portion on the cowling distorted out and up, pushing out the zeus bolts. The prop then stopped in the vertical position." The CFI reported that he performed the forced landing checklist and chose a field in which to land. He reported that during the landing he was unable to keep the nose gear off the ground. The nose gear collapsed as it touched down and the airplane nosed over. The CFI and student exited the airplane without injury. The engine from N6359M, a Lycoming O-235-LC2, s/n RL-25322-15, was removed from the airplane after the accident and shipped to Textron-Lycoming, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, for a teardown under the supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Harrisburg Flight Standards District Office. Upon inspection of the engine it was determined that a portion of the number 2 cylinder had separated from the crankcase. The number 2 cylinder and its related components were then shipped the NTSB Materials Laboratory in Washington, D.C. for further inspection. Metallurgical examination revealed "...faint beachmarks..." which are "...consistent with a fatigue crack that began at the outer diameter of the barrel and progressed inward toward the inside surface and circumferentially around the barrel." See attached Metallurgist's Factual Report for further details. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6359M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6359M-2001-08-01), registration cancelled 2001-08-01, S/N 15284693 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 152 - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15284693 - Airframe hours: 5253 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ft. Leavenworth Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 8, 1997, 14 hours before - Departed: FLV - Airport: FLV, Sherman Army Airfield ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 950 total, 470 in this make and model, 892 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 8 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FLV ## 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 19970326003759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970326003759A), Mar 26, 1997: Cessna 152, Fort Leavenwort, KS, Substantial damage. Engine failed after takeoff and pilot attempted to return to airport, cleared to land, landes short and flipped. (.4) the CFI reported that after takeoff at an… 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.