FTW97LA006

According to the pilot, during cruise flight at 5,000 feet MSL, he smelled oil burning. As engine RPM decreased, the oil pressure dropped toward zero. Subsequently, there was an 'explosion' and the engine seized. During the ensuing forced landing, the airplane impacted trees, and came to rest on the ground in a left wing down attitude. A 3 inch diameter hole was found in the crankcase above the #3 cylinder attach point and the #3 connecting rod was separated. During engine disassembly, one of the connecting rod cap bolts for the #3 cylinder was found destroyed. One of the nuts for the #3 connecting rod cap was found laying in the piston skirt, separated from its bolt. The exterior of the nut and its threads were undamaged to the naked eye. No loose cotter pins were found within the engine. All other connecting rod cap bolts were found attached and cotter pinned. The end cap of the #2 piston pin was missing. The inner surface of the #2 cylinder barrel exhibited longitudinal scoring in the direction of piston action, corresponding to the diameter of the piston pin. 1 day prior to the accident, oil was changed and metal particles were found on the oil screen.

On October 6, 1996, at 2230 central daylight time, a Cessna 175B, N8171T, registered to and owned by the pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Mount Pleasant, Texas. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. Dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal cross country flight which originated from Idabel , Oklahoma at 2206. A flight plan was not filed.

According to the pilot, during cruise flight at 5,000 feet MSL, he began to smell oil burning, and engine RPM began to decrease. Upon scanning the instruments, he noticed that both oil temperature and oil pressure gauges indicated zero. Subsequently (about 40 seconds later), he heard an "explosion" and the engine seized. During the ensuing forced landing, the airplane impacted trees, and came to rest in a left wing down attitude relative to the terrain. The left wing and fuselage were structurally damaged.

Initial on scene examination of the engine by a FAA inspector, revealed a 3 inch hole in the crankcase located above the #3 cylinder. Additionally, it was noted that the under belly skin of the airplane was coated with oil.

The engine was disassembled for examination under the supervision of an NTSB investigator at Air Salvage of Dallas, Lancaster, Texas, on October 7, 1997. During the disassembly, one of the connecting rod cap bolts for the #3 cylinder was found destroyed and in several pieces. The connecting rod was found separated. One of the nuts for the #3 connecting rod cap was found laying in the piston skirt, separated from the bolt. The exterior of the nut and its threads were undamaged to the naked eye; however, the inner sides of 2 opposite castles exhibited minor abrasive wear when examined with a magnifying lens. Therefore, a conclusive determination could not be made as to whether or not the cotter pin was installed prior to the flight or if the pin fell out prior to, or during the internal engine seizure. No loose cotter pins were found within the engine.

All other connecting rod cap bolts and nuts were found still attached to each other and were secured with cotter pins. The rod cap bearing for the number three rod exhibited extreme thermal damage and was melted. The remainder of the rod cap bearings exhibited thermal damage, and their respective connecting rods were not damaged. Additionally, the end cap of the #2 piston pin was missing from its respective piston pin. The inner surface of the #2 cylinder barrel exhibited longitudinal scoring in the direction of piston action, corresponding to the diameter of the piston pin. The oil cooler was not damaged; however, inspection of the interior revealed no signs of oil.

According to maintenance records provided by the owner, the engine had a top overhaul performed on February, 14, 1995 (tachometer time 3,256.6). On October 5, 1996, one day prior to the accident, the oil was changed and metal particles were found on the oil screen. According to the manufacturer, these metal particles could have been generated by the #2 piston pin (end cap was found missing) machining the inner surface of the #2 cylinder barrel.

See the enclosed engine examination report for additional information.