# NTSB FTW04LA110: Cessna 175B, N8172T, Locust Grove, OK, April 16, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 16, 2004, 10:40 local (15:40 UTC) - Place: Locust Grove, OK - Coordinates: 36.2, -95.166664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2000&lon=-95.1667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Oklahoma City FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59076 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA110 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59076/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA110 ## Probable cause The improper installation of the generator, which resulted in oil starvation. A factor was the unsuitable terrain. ## 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, cruise - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - fluid,oil - starvation (cause) - electrical system,generator - separation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The 800-hour pilot stated that while in cruise flight, he smelled "fumes", and the engine began to "shudder." But, the engine gauges indicated normal readings. The engine continued to shudder and the oil pressure dropped to zero within a few seconds, and it began to lose power. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and performed a forced landing to a dirt field. Upon landing, the airplane rolled about 78 feet before it nosed over onto its back. External examination of the airplane revealed oil streaks over the left and right side of the engine cowling. Examination of the engine and maintenance records revealed the recently installed generator had partially separated due to the fact it had been installed improperly, which resulted in oil starvation. ## Factual narrative On April 16, 2004, approximately 1040 central daylight time, a Cessna 175B single-engine airplane, N8172T, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during cruise flight near Locust Grove, Oklahoma. The private pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by Elite Aircraft Sales Incorporated, of Boca Raton, Florida. No flight plan was filed for the cross-country flight that originated at the Charles W. Baker Airport (2M8), near Millington, Tennessee, about 0930, and was destined for the Claremore Regional Airport (1O7), near Claremore, Oklahoma. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, performed an on-scene examination of the airplane and interviewed the pilot. The pilot stated that while in cruise flight, he smelled "fumes" and the engine began to "shudder." The pilot added that the engine gauges indicated normal readings; however, the engine continued to shudder and the oil pressure dropped to zero within a few seconds and it began to lose power. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and elected to perform a forced landing to an open field. Upon touchdown, the airplane rolled about 78 feet before it nosed over, coming to rest in the inverted position. External examination of the airplane revealed oil streaks over the left and right side of the engine cowling. The fuselage, vertical stabilizer and rudder sustained structural damage. Examination of the engine revealed that the recently installed generator had backed off the accessory section of the engine approximately 1/4-to-3/8 of an inch, which allowed engine oil to escape. Two of the three bolts that secured the generator to the engine were missing. One bolt remained partially attached, and the nut was backed off approximately 3/4 of an inch. According to the maintenance manual, proper installation of the generator required it to be installed with an elastic and a plain washer. However; a plain washer, star washer, and a second plain washer were installed instead. A review of the engine logbooks revealed that the generator was installed on February 24, 2004, during the aircraft/engine annual inspection with an overhauled unit at a total aircraft time of 2,327.6 hours. The airplane accrued an additional 37 hours after the generator was installed. Several attempts were made to obtain a completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2 from the operator. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8172T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8172T-2009-09-10), registration cancelled 2009-09-10, S/N 17556872, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 175B - Registry model: [Cessna 175B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175b) (registry code 2072506) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17556872 - Engines: Continental GO-300 175 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Elite Aircraft Sales - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 24, 2004, 2,327.6 hours before - Departed: 2M8, Millington, TN - Destination: 1O7, Claremore, OK - Airport: 1O7, Claremore ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; foreign, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total, 15 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F - Observed at: TQH, 15 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 20040416005859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040416005859A), Apr 16, 2004: Cessna 175B, Locust Grove, OK, Substantial damage. (-23) While in cruise near Locust Grove, OK, the pilot noticed fumes and the engine began operating rough. During a second glance of the engine instruments,… 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.