# NTSB FTW96LA134: Cessna 172N, N6601D, Austin, TX, February 23, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 23, 1996, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Austin, TX - Coordinates: 30.29075, -97.73944 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2907&lon=-97.7394&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report September 9, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19773 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA134 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19773/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA134 ## Probable cause the partial loss of engine power due to the failure of the #3 connecting rod. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain 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(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot-rated student had completed a 'normal touch-and-go on runway 36 at Austin Executive Airpark. After turning crosswind and during climb to pattern altitude, the engine started 'surging and the entire airplane was violently shaking.' The flight instructor took the controls and executed a 180 degree turn to attempt to land downwind on runway 18. The aircraft 'overshot' the runway, descended through trees, and came to a stop inverted. Examination of the engine revealed the #3 connecting rod bolts were broken, the bolt boss was broken off, and the cap was bent. The #3 connecting rod bearings were found destroyed. ## Factual narrative On February 23, 1996, about 1630 central standard time, a Cessna 172N, N6601D, operated by Canelas International Aviation as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Austin, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The flight instructor and the private pilot rated student were seriously injured. The flight originated from Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, Austin, Texas, about 30 minutes before the accident. The flight instructor reported to the FAA inspector and in the Pilot/Operator Report the following information. The pilot rated student had completed a "normal touch-and-go on runway 36 at Austin Executive Airpark. After turning crosswind and during climb to pattern altitude, the engine started "surging and the entire airplane was violently shaking." The flight instructor took the controls and executed a 180 degree turn to attempt to land downwind on runway 18. The aircraft "overshot" the runway, descended through trees, and came to a stop inverted. Examination of the aircraft wreckage by the FAA inspector revealed the following. Both wing fuel tanks contained only residual fuel; however, there was evidence of fuel leakage. The left wing was separated from the fuselage, the left main landing gear was separated, the nose landing gear was folded under, and the left side of the cabin was crushed inward. One propeller blade had no damage and the other propeller blade exhibited "S" bending. The engine was examined by the NTSB at Air Salvage of Dallas on March 27 and May 2, 1996. The examination revealed that the #3 connecting rod bolts were broken, the bolt boss was broken off, and the cap was bent. The #3 connecting rod bearings were found destroyed. (See the enclosed manufacturer's teardown report) Repeated attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, from the private pilot rated student were unsuccessful. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6601D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6601D-1997-09-05), registration cancelled 1997-09-05, S/N 17272888 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17272888 - Airframe hours: 6198 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Canelas International Aviation - Registered owner: Andres Trevino - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 15, 1996, 19 hours before - Departed: 3R3 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 278 total, 14 in this make and model, 131 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AUS, 8 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 19960223002639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960223002639A), Feb 23, 1996: Cessna 172N, Austin, TX, Substantial damage. Engine surge vibrated in pattern. Pilot made 180. Landed downwind. Overran into trees. Had thrown a rod. 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.