# NTSB ERA11LA009: Cessna 182P, N21415, Columbia, SC, October 5, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 5, 2010, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Columbia, SC - Coordinates: 33.926109, -81.122222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9261&lon=-81.1222&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Continental Motors, Inc., Cessna Aircraft Company, FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77498 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77498/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77498 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA009 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to a loss of lubrication after the engine experienced a piston ring failure for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff, the pilot observed that the engine oil pressure was low and noted smoke in the cockpit. The engine subsequently lost all power and, in response, the pilot initiated a forced landing to a highway. During the landing, the airplane's right wing struck a pole and the lower forward portion of the fuselage sustained substantial damage. Examination of the engine revealed that it seized due to a loss of lubrication after the oil suction screen became clogged with debris, which included fractured portions of piston skirts and piston rings. The No. 5 cylinder oil control ring was fractured in multiple locations. Some fragments were burnished, consistent with operation for a significant time period while remaining in the piston ring slot. The burnishing obliterated the fractured face, making the determination of the fracture mode impossible. Thermal erosion of the No. 5 piston and the fracturing of the piston skirts occurred after the oil control ring failure and most likely occurred just prior to the engine failure. While it was possible that the ring was damaged at the time it was installed 266 hours before the accident, there was not enough information to reach that determination. ## Factual narrative On October 5, 2010, about 1545 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182P, N21415, operated by Westmoreland Patterson Moseley & Hinson LLP., was substantially damaged during a forced landing, after it experienced a total loss of engine power after takeoff from the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), Columbia, South Carolina. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries and a passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed for the flight destined to the Middle Georgia Regional Airport (MCN), Macon, Georgia. The business flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot reported that he flew with the passenger from MCN to CAE earlier in the day without incident, and they were returning to MCN when the accident occurred. After takeoff, the pilot contacted departure control and was subsequently cleared to fly direct to MCN. Shortly thereafter, the pilot noted that the oil pressure gauge was below the green arc, and he elected to return to CAE. He also noted some smoke in the cockpit, which was followed by a complete loss of engine power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a highway, about 1000 feet south-southeast of runway 5 at CAE. During the landing, the airplane's right wing struck a pole, and the lower forward portion of the fuselage sustained substantial damage. The airplane was equipped with a Continental Motors O-470-R series engine. Initial examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the crankshaft was seized. Oil streaks were observed on the underside of the engine cowling, and oil was present throughout the engine compartment. In addition, the oil filler cap was loose. The pilot reported that no oil had been added to the engine prior to the flight, and a preflight check of the oil quantity using the dipstick indicated "just a little less than 10 quarts." A postaccident check of the engine oil level indicated 7.5 quarts. The engine was retained for further examination. The engine was disassembled at the manufacturer's facility under the supervision of an FAA inspector. The disassembly revealed that the Nos. 1, 3, and 5 cylinder pistons and rings exhibited damage and signatures of abnormal combustion gas blow-by. The crankshaft, connecting rods, and associated bearings exhibited lubrication distress with associated thermal damage. Piston ring and skirt fragments were found in the oil sump. The area of the sump surface that was adjacent to the oil suction tube screen exhibited signatures of substantial material accumulation [A detailed teardown report with accompanying photographs is contained in the public docket for this accident]. The six pistons with rings, and fragments from the oil sump were forwarded to the NTSB Materials Laboratory, Washington, DC, for further examination. Examination of the retained components by an NTSB metallurgist revealeddamage to the rings and portions of the piston skirts on the Nos. 1 and 5 pistons. Both oil scraper rings were heavily fragmented. Magnified examination of the ring fractures revealed features consistent with brittle overstress with no indications of preexisting fractures. The oil control ring for the No. 5 piston was fractured and approximately 75 percent was recovered. The visible fractures displayed features consistent with brittle overstress; however, burnishing obliterated many of the fracture faces. The No. 5 oil control ring slot showed extensive thermal erosion, with some locations intersecting the lower compression ring slot. Circumferential fractures on the piston skirts and piston skirt fragments revealed overstress fracture features. [A detailed Materials Laboratory Factual report with accompanying photographs is contained in the public docket for this accident]. According to maintenance records, the engine was manufactured by Continental Motors on March 29, 2007. On April 5, 2010, at a total engine time of about 1,215 hours, all six cylinders, which included new pistons and piston rings, were replaced. The airplane's most recent annual inspection was performed on August 10, 2010. At that time, the airframe had accumulated approximately 7,139 hours since new, and the engine has been operated for approximately 1,397 total hours. At the time of the accident, the engine had been operated for about 1,480 hours since new and 266 hours since the cylinders were replaced. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21415](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21415-2017-06-21), registration cancelled 2017-06-21, S/N 18261625, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P - Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18261625 - Airframe hours: 7140 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Westmoreland Patterson Moseley & Hinson Llp - Registered owner: Westmoreland Patterson Moseley & Hinson Llp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 2010 - Departed: CAE, Columbia, SC - Destination: MCN, Macon, GA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: CAE, Columbia Metropolitan, runway 05, 8,001 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 2, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 4,090 total, 510 in this make and model, 3,105 as pilot in command, 111 in the last 90 days, 74 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: CAE, 1 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 20101005050179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101005050179A), Oct 5, 2010: Cessna 182P, West Columbia, SC, Substantial damage. N21415 departed rwy , cae at approximately 1600 during downwind on climbout, the pilot observed a loss of oil pressure. Decided to return to the airport.… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 8, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77498. 6.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 359 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354966&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Maintenance Records (excerpts) (item 2, .PDF, 173 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353283&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20(excerpts)-Redacted.PDF - Engine Teardown Report (Included in docket with permission of Teledyne Continental Motors, Inc.) (item 3, .PDF, 96 photos, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353272&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Teardown%20Report%20(Included%20in%20docket%20with%20permission%20of%20Teledyne%20Continental%20Motors,%20Inc.)-Redacted.PDF - Excerpt from TCM O-470 Illustrated Parts Catalog and Generic Engine Design Manual (item 4, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354330&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20TCM%20O-470%20Illustrated%20Parts%20Catalog%20and%20Generic%20Engine%20Design%20Manual-Master.PDF - Materials Laboratory 15 - Factual Report 11-074 with 7 figure2 (item 5, .PDF, 955 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351420&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%2015%20-%20Factual%20Report%2011-074%20with%207%20figure2-Master.PDF - Retention / Release of Wreckage Form (item 6, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353498&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Retention%20%2F%20Release%20of%20Wreckage%20Form-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 7, .PDF, 227 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354329&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Photograph # 1 – View of the airplane as it came to rest. (Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 922 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354324&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20the%20airplane%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest.%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.