# NTSB ERA20LA299: Cessna 172, N65645, Weston, FL, August 27, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 27, 2020, 12:25 local (16:25 UTC) - Place: Weston, FL - Coordinates: 26.018333, -80.760276 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.0183&lon=-80.7603&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101879 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20LA299 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101879/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101879 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA299 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to the failure of the Nos. 1 and 3 connecting rods from lack of lubrication. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip engine power section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 233 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md) - [Fluids: oil](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072436), [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 172P, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis While maneuvering during the instructional flight the flight instructor noticed that the engine oil pressure was “remarkably low”, and the engine oil temperature was “a bit high.” He took control of the airplane and flew toward nearby roadways in anticipation of a forced landing. The engine then began to run rough, vibrate, and lost partial power. Shortly thereafter, the engine vibrated “incredibly” and lost all power. The flight instructor was unable to restart the engine and performed a forced landing into vegetation. During landing, the airplane flipped over and sustained substantial damage to the wings and forward lower fuselage. Examination of the engine revealed that the Nos. 1 and 3 cylinder connecting rods were fractured near their crankshaft end. The remnants and fracture surfaces of the rods, as well as their respective journals on the crankshaft were discolored (blackened and bluish surfaces) and smeared, consistent with thermal stress/damage. The No.4 cylinder connecting rod remained attached to the crankshaft but would not rotate. The crankshaft end of the rod was discolored (black and rust colored), consistent with thermal stress. Bearing material was extruded between the rod and the crankshaft lobe. Holes were found in the crankcase near the base of the No.4 cylinder and on the bottom of each crankcase half. The damage and discoloration of the connecting rod and crankshaft components, as well as the reported loss of oil pressure, suggest a lack of engine lubrication. At the accident site, oil was found coating the bottom side of the fuselage, consistent with venting oil overboard during flight. However, it could not be determined if the oil exited through the breaches in the engine crankcase after the connecting rod failures, or, prior to the failures through some other path. There were no obstructions found in any the visible oil passages in the crankshaft, and the engine oil pump was undamaged, contained no debris, and operated smoothly. It is possible that one or more of the connecting rod bearings spun inside its race, blocking the oil passage(s), which would have resulted in thermal damage to the rods and crankshaft. However, given the evidence available during the engine examination, the reason for the lack of lubrication could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On August 27, 2020, about 1225 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P airplane, N65645, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Weston, Florida. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. According to the flight instructor, after practicing holding maneuvers over the Everglades, he noticed that the engine oil pressure was "remarkably low,” and the engine oil temperature was "a bit high." He took control of the airplane and flew east toward roadways in case a forced landing became necessary. The engine then began to run rough, vibrate, and lost partial power. He determined the airplane would likely not reach the roadways and he turned toward Dade Collier Airport (TNT), Ochopee, Florida, which was about 12 miles away. The engine then vibrated "incredibly" and lost all power. The flight instructor was unable to restart the engine and performed a forced landing into vegetation. During landing, the airplane flipped over and sustained substantial damage to the wings and forward lower fuselage. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that a coating of oil was present on most of the underside of the fuselage, and a hole was found in the engine crankcase near the base of one of the cylinders. Examination of the engine revealed that the Nos. 1 and 3 cylinder connecting rods were fractured near their crankshaft end. The remnants and fracture surfaces of the rods, as well as their respective journals on the crankshaft were discolored (blackened and bluish surfaces) and smeared, consistent with thermal stress/damage. The No.4 cylinder connecting rod remained attached to the crankshaft but would not rotate. The crankshaft end of the rod was discolored (black and rust colored), consistent with thermal stress. Bearing material was extruded between the rod and the crankshaft lobe. Holes were found in the crankcase near the base of the No.4 cylinder and on the bottom of each crankcase half. There were no obstructions found in any the visible oil passages in the crankshaft. The engine oil pump was undamaged, contained no debris, and operated smoothly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N65645](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N65645), registered now, S/N 17275797, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (P) - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17275797 - Year built: 1982 - Airframe hours: 16402 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Wayman Aviation Academy - Registered owner: Delaware Trust Company Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 29, 2020, 84 hours before - Departed: HWO, Hollywood, FL - Destination: HWO, Hollywood, FL - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 29; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,172 total, 815 in this make and model, 974 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 8, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 135 total, 135 in this make and model, 27 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: HWO, 28 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 20200827012679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200827012679A), Aug 27, 2020: Cessna 172P, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Substantial damage. Certified flight instructor (CFI) and private pilot under single-engine instruction operating Cessna CE-172P, serial number 17275797, and registration N65645… ## Other investigations on N65645 (2) 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 GAA16CA360](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA360), Jul 2, 2016: Cessna 172 (N65645), Pembroke Pines, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare, which resulted in a runway excursion, and impact with a sign. - [NTSB ERA15CA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA153), Mar 8, 2015: Cessna 172P (N65645), Newport, RI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing, and his subsequent failure to recover from a bounced landing, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 25, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101879. 17.1 MB in all. - Pilot statements (item 1, PDF, 3 pages, 5.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14048007&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=01-02%20Pilots%20Statemements_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - information from FAA inspector (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 219 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14047846&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=01-03%20Information%20Provided%20by%20FAA%20Inspector%20-%20ERA20LA299-Rel.pdf - Excerpts from maintenance logbook (item 3, PDF, 12 pages, 9.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14048482&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=03-01%20Excerpts%20from%20Maintenance%20Logbook_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 2 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14047856&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=06-01-%20photo%20array_ERA20LA299-Rel.pdf - Engine examination summary (item 5, PDF, 5 pages, 4 photos, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14048403&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=06-02%20MFR%20Engine%20Examination%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20-%20ERA20LA299-Rel.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.