# NTSB FTW84LA273: Cessna 172K, N84103, Bridgeport, TX, June 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1984, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Bridgeport, TX
- Location: 33.2136° N, 97.7752° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bridgeport, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2136&lon=-97.7752&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21368
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA273
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21368/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA273

## 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 - normal
  - electrical system,electric switch - burst (cause)
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not followed
  - lubricating system - leak (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total
- Forced landing, landing
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING FLT, THE PLT NOTED A PROGRESSIVE LOSS OF ENG POWER. THE APPLICATION OF CARBURETOR HEAT HAD NO EFFECT. SUBSEQUENTLY, A LOUD NOISE OCCURRED & THE PLT SHUT DOWN THE ENG. DURING A FORCED LANDING THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED & THE ACFT NOSED OVER. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE #4 CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED. INTERNAL DAMAGE WAS FOUND TO HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION. A FURTHER EXAM REVEALED THAT THE DIAPHRAGM OF AN OIL PRESSURE SWITCH HAD RUPTURED & ALLOWED DEPLETION OF THE ENG OIL SUPPLY. THE SWITCH, DATCON PN 40558-1, WAS INSTALLED ON 1/1/74, DIRECTLY INTO THE ENG BLOCK (TAPPED OIL GALLERY HOLE) & WAS USED IN CONNECTION WITH ELECTRICAL ACTION OF THE ACFT'S HOURMETER. DATCON SERVICE BULLETIN #1, SUBJECT: HAZARDOUS INSTALLATION OF OIL PRESSURE SWITCHES, DATED 1/2/75, NOT COMPLIED WITH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84103](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84103-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 17258333, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1725833
- Airframe hours: 1704
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harold O. Blow
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 1983, 19 hours before
- Departed: SPS, WICHITA FALLS, TX
- Destination: FTW, FORT WORTH, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19840616024679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840616024679A), Jun 16, 1984: Cessna 172K, Bridgeport, TX, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine failed. Connecting rod failed from lack of lubrication.

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.

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