# NTSB ERA13LA112: Cessna T182, N9454H, Brandon, FL, January 11, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 11, 2013, 15:50 local (20:50 UTC) - Place: Brandon, FL - Coordinates: 27.937778, -82.267776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9378&lon=-82.2678&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86015 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13LA112 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86015/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86015 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA112 ## Probable cause Failure of the No. 2 cylinder’s rod bearing, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T182, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=2072736), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T182, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=2072736), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating): recip engine power section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T182, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md?model=2072736), [All aircraft, 233 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna T182, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=2072736), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340); cases with it: [Cessna T182, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=2072736), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T182, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072736), [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 T182, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072736), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna T182, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072736), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane was climbing through about 3,000 feet mean sea level when it began to vibrate, and oil covered the windscreen. The pilot chose to perform and off-airport landing to an empty field. During landing, the airplane impacted the ground in a flat-pitch attitude, which resulted in the left wing buckling. A subsequent examination of the engine revealed that the No. 2 cylinder's aluminum-clad rod bearing had failed. The bearing likely failed due to progressive cracking and spalling or delamination within the bearing. The No. 3 cylinder's bearing exhibited similar cracking and delamination. It is likely that the failure of the No. 2 cylinder's rod bearing resulted in a total loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On January 11, 2013, about 1550 eastern standard time, a Cessna T182, N9454H, experienced a total loss of engine power during climb to cruise altitude, and the pilot made a forced landing in a field near Brandon, Florida. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The airplane was registered to N9454H, Inc and was operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed for the flight from Peter O Knight Airport (TPF), Tampa, Florida, to Opa-Locka Executive Airport (OPF), Miami, Florida.The pilot reported that during the climb, about 3,000 feet mean sea level, the airplane began to "shutter and vibrate violently," and oil covered the windscreen. He selected a field in a populated area, which had utility poles along the edge as well as across the middle of the field. Due to the lack of forward visibility, and his attempt to avoid utility wires, he maneuvered the airplane as low as possible to the ground. During the landing the airplane impacted the ground in a flat pitch attitude, with all three landing gear simultaneously. Initial examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the No. 2 cylinder had a hole in the engine crankcase. Oil was observed on the windscreen, cowling, and horizontal stabilizer. Buckling was noted on the left wing. The pilot reported that during the preflight inspection the oil indicated 6 quarts. According to airframe maintenance records and the pilot, the engine had about 1,850 flight hours since overhaul. The most recent annual inspection was conducted on August 15, 2012. On March 12, 2013, the NTSB investigator in charge examined the engine at the storage facility. During the examination, cylinders No. 1 and 3 were disassembled and cylinder No. 2 was partially disassembled. Examination of the No. 2 cylinder revealed multiple fragments and damage that precluded removal of the cylinder. The No. 2 rod was noted as fractured but remained attached to the piston head and fragmented on and unattached from the crankshaft end. The No. 2 cylinder rod bolt heads and one nut as well as the No. 3 cylinder rod and associated hardware were sent to the NTSB Material Laboratory for further examination. For detailed information on the engine examination refer to the "Engine Examination Report" in the docket associated with this accident. The No. 3 connecting rod assembly and the pieces from the No. 2 connecting rod assembly were examined at the NTSB Materials Laboratory. Examination of the fracture surfaced associated with the No. 2 connecting rod bolt head exhibited fractures around their circumference and the features of the fracture were consistent with fatigue. Examination of the No. 3 connecting rod exhibited areas of impact at the crankshaft end of the assemblyand spalling on the bearing for the crankshaft connecting rod journal. Linear crack features were observed extending transverse across the bearing. The color of the bearing in the spalled area was consistent with a tri-metal bearing with an aluminum-tin intermediate layer. The bearing part number was "SL-13521-M03" which was stamped on the bearing. According to Superior Air Parts, Inc, Service Bulletin B07-03 "Superseded Main and Connecting Rod Bearings," dated July 28, 2010 which states in part "…has upgraded its main and connecting rod PMA replacement bearings for Lycoming engines….the upgraded bearings are identified by an 'A' suffix on the part number…requires the use of these upgraded bearings whenever new bearings are installed." The Service Bulletin goes on to list several superseded bearing part numbers and the fractured bearing was one of the listed part numbers. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9454H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9454H-2015-05-14), registration cancelled 2015-05-14, S/N 18267950, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T182 - Registry model: [Cessna T182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t182) (registry code 2072736) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18267950 - Airframe hours: 4993 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-L3C5D 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 2012 - Departed: TPF, Tampa, FL - Destination: OPF, Miami, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: TPF, Peter O Knight ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 21, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 5,400 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 5,200 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: TPF, 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 20130111002189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130111002189A), Jan 11, 2013: Cessna T182, Valrico, FL, Substantial damage. During the climb through approximately 3,000 feet the aircraft Began to shutter and vibrate violently. Oil immediately coated the windscreen making forward… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 7, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86015. 4.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 918 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385511&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Logbook [Excerpts] (item 2, .PDF, 825 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408104&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Logbook%20%5BExcerpts%5D-Redacted.PDF - Engine Examination Report (12 Embedded Photos) (item 3, .PDF, 12 photos, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40407973&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Examination%20Report%20%20(12%20Embedded%20Photos)-Master.PDF - Superior Air Parts, Inc. Service Bulletin B07-03 (item 4, .PDF, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40407978&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Superior%20Air%20Parts,%20Inc.%20Service%20Bulletin%20B07-03-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Tampa Weather (item 5, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385105&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Tampa%20Weather-Master.PDF - Airplane Maintenance Records [Excerpts] (item 6, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385107&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Maintenance%20Records%20%5BExcerpts%5D-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 7, .PDF, 274 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408076&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF - Materials Laboratory 15 - Factual Report 13-107 (item 8, .PDF, 536 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40407193&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%2015%20-%20Factual%20Report%2013-107-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.