# NTSB FTW87LA074: Cessna 182P, N4473M, Refugio, TX, March 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1987, 16:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Refugio, TX
- Coordinates: 28.299633, -97.269309 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.2996&lon=-97.2693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22337
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22337/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA074

## 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, climb - to cruise
  - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,replacement - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRED ON CLIMB. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED DURING THE FORCED LANDING. TEARDOWN REVEALED THAT THE NO. 1 CYLINDER ROCKER ARM SHAFT RETAINER EAR HAD BROKEN. THE TWO LOCK BOLTS HAD BACKED OUT BECAUSE THEY HAD NOT BEEN SAFETY WIRED. THE NO. 2 CYLINDER HAD NOT FAILED BUT BOTH BOLTS HAD ALSO BACKED OUT. THE TWO CYLINDERS HAD BEEN REPLACED 155 HRS PRIOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4473M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18263124
- Airframe hours: 1618
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lloyd W. Holmes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 1986, 53 hours before
- Departed: RFG, REFUGIO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 460 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRP, 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 19870307005369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870307005369A), Mar 7, 1987: Cessna 182P, Refugio, TX, Destroyed. The engine failed and the aircraft flipped on landing. Rocker shaft lock bolts not safety wired.

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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