# NTSB FTW00LA256: Cessna 152, N64921, Saspamco, TX, September 12, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 12, 2000, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Saspamco, TX - Coordinates: 29.249525, -98.330612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2495&lon=-98.3306&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 19, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50250 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA256 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50250/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA256 ## Probable cause the failure of the #3 and #4 connecting rods. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain condition for the forced landing. ## 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, maneuvering - engine assembly,connecting rod - separation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis The student pilot had been practicing flight maneuvers for about 30-40 minutes when the flight instructor noticed a drop in engine rpm and altitude. He instructed the student to apply full power; however, the rpm continued to drop. The flight instructor took control of the airplane, and the engine lost power with a loud noise, smoke, oil and debris coming from the engine cowling. The flight instructor initiated a forced landing, and the airplane touched down in a plowed field aligned with the furrows. During the landing roll, the nose landing gear sunk into the soft dirt, and the airplane nosed over coming to rest inverted. Examination of the engine revealed the #3 and #4 connecting rods had failed. The engine had accumulated 3,023 hours since the last major overhaul. The manufacturer's recommended time between overhauls is 2,400 hours. ## Factual narrative On September 12, 2000, at 1600 central daylight time, a Cessna 152 single-engine airplane, N64921, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Saspamco, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by Wright Flyers Aviation of San Antonio, Texas. The flight instructor sustained minor injuries and the student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The local flight originated from the San Antonio International Airport at 1500. The flight instructor had demonstrated basic flight maneuvers to the student pilot. The student had been practicing the flight maneuvers for about 30-40 minutes when the flight instructor noticed a drop in engine rpm and altitude. He instructed the student pilot to apply full power; however, the rpm continued to drop. The flight instructor confirmed that the student had applied full power and took control of the airplane. The engine began to run rough and immediately lost power with a loud noise, smoke, oil and debris coming from the engine cowling. The flight instructor tried to restart the engine, but there was no response. He initiated a forced landing, and the airplane touched down in a plowed field aligned with the furrows. During the landing roll, the nose landing gear sunk into the soft dirt, and the airplane nosed over coming to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that the vertical and horizontal stabilizers were damaged. The nose landing gear was damaged, and the right wing was wrinkled. A teardown examination was conducted of the Lycoming O-235-L2C engine. According to the FAA inspector, the #4 connecting rod was found disconnected from the crankshaft, and the connecting rod journal displayed "moderate" scoring. The #3 connecting rod was found disconnected from the crankshaft and deformed. The #3 connecting rod journal on the crankshaft showed signs of "sever[e] stress and overheating." Pieces of bearing were found in the oil sump. The remaining rods and journals appeared "normal." The oil filter did not show "abnormal" contamination. Only traces of metal were observed. The pump and impellers "were covered in residual oil and did not appear to have metal contamination or obvious scoring." The engine had accumulated 3,023 hours since the last major overhaul. The engine time since top overhaul was 262.2 hours. The manufacturer's recommended time between overhauls is 2,400 hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N64921](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64921-2013-08-12), registration cancelled 2013-08-12, S/N 15281477, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 152 - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15281477 - Airframe hours: 10895 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wright Flyers Holdings LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 29, 2000, 63 hours before - Departed: SAT, SAN ANTONIO, TX - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 595 total, 97 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 216 °F, dew point 135 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SAT, 23 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 20000912019099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000912019099A), Sep 12, 2000: Cessna 152, Saspamco, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 12, 2000, at approximately 16:00 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N64921, operated by wright flyers aviation, inc., CFR 141 pilot school… 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.