# NTSB FTW87LA055: Cessna 175, N175RF, Jacksonville, TX, January 31, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 31, 1987, 12:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, TX
- Coordinates: 31.959302, -95.260093 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9593&lon=-95.2601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22323
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22323/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA055

## 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
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD ADDED OIL TO THE ENGINE PRIOR TO HIS DEPARTURE ON A SIGHT SEEING FLIGHT, BUT ON SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE FROZE FROM OIL STARVATION. NO EVIDENCE OF LEAKAGE WAS FOUND. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN OWNER-MAINTAINED FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N175RF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N175RF-2014-09-10), registration cancelled 2014-09-10, S/N 56203, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175
- Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 56203
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 300-A 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harry R. Bush
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 050, JACKSONVILLE, TX
- Airport: JSO, Jacksonville

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 220 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TYR, 25 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 19870131001889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870131001889A), Jan 31, 1987: Cessna 175, Jacksonville, TX, Substantial damage. The engine failed. The aircraft was damaged on the forced landing. Suspect unauthorized maintenance.

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.