# NTSB CHI99LA333: Cessna 172K, N84385, Pickrell, NE, September 9, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 8, 1999, 21:40 local (Sep 9, 1999, 02:40 UTC) - Place: Pickrell, NE - Coordinates: 40.369544, -96.719131 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3695&lon=-96.7191&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47295 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA333 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47295/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA333 ## Probable cause the loose oil dipstick guide tube resulting in loss of oil and the engine failure. The night condition was a contributing factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - lubricating system - loose part/bolt/nut/clamp/etc (cause) - light condition - night (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - sign ## Analysis The airplane impacted terrain during a night forced landing after experiencing a loss of engine power. The pilot also stated that the engine was running so rough that it felt as if it had half a propeller and that he could not read the airspeed indicator or altimeter. He circled twice over an unlit gravel road and then touched down twice on the road before impacting a sign. The pilot stated that he made the landing with 15 degrees of flaps and not full flaps since it took two hands to fly the aircraft because of the vibration. Examination of the engine revealed that the engine oil dipstick guide tube was loose which resulted in a loss of engine oil. ## Factual narrative On September 8, 1999, at 2140 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N84385, piloted by a private pilot, received substantial damage during a forced landing after experiencing a loss of engine power. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight departed from Beatrice Municipal Airport, Beatrice, Nebraska, at 2135, on return to Crete Municipal Airport (CEK), Crete, Nebraska. The pilot stated that at 13.6 nmi south-southeast of CEK, at an altitude of 3,500 feet mean sea level, the engine began to run rough and eventually began to windmill. The pilot stated that he checked the magnetos, carburetor heat and mixture. He also stated that the engine was running so rough that it felt as if it had half a propeller and that he could not read the airspeed indicator or altimeter. He circled twice over an unlit gravel road and then touched down twice on the road before impacting a sign. The pilot stated that he made the landing with 15 degrees of flaps and not full flaps since it took two hands to fly the aircraft because of the vibration. Examination of the engine revealed that the engine oil dipstick guide tube was loose which resulted in a loss of engine oil and failure of the #4 connecting rod. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N84385](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84385-2023-09-27), registration cancelled 2023-09-27, S/N 17258453, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172K - Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17258453 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mark Chase - Registered owner: Mark Chase - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: BIE, BEATRICE, NE - Destination: CEK, CRETE, NE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 450 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BIE, 10 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 19990908047529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990908047529A), Sep 8, 1999: Cessna 172K, Pickrell, NE, Substantial damage. (.4) The airplane impacted terrain during a night forced landing after experiencing a loss of engine power. The pilot also stated that the engine was running… ## Other investigations on N84385 (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 WPR23LA241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA241), Jun 23, 2023: Cessna 172K (N84385), Marana, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. 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.