# NTSB LAX00LA244: Cessna 182K, N3094Q, Mayer, AZ, June 29, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 2000, 08:50 local (15:50 UTC) - Place: Mayer, AZ - Coordinates: 34.340976, -112.030555 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3410&lon=-112.0306&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 49560 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA244 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49560/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA244 ## Probable cause the total loss of engine power resulting from the mechanic's failure to properly torque the connecting rod bolt nuts during engine overhaul. ## 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 - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - undertorqued (cause) - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - separation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment ## Analysis The airplane collided with terrain during a forced landing following a catastrophic engine failure. The commercial pilot reported that he had the single engine airplane established in a cruise climb when he heard and felt a loud explosion coming from the engine. He then observed numerous punctures in the top of the engine cowling after the explosion, and reported that the engine stopped running within 10 seconds. The pilot elected to land on a gravel road. He reported that the airplane touched down at 70 knots and eventually ran off the side of the gravel road, which had a sharp bend to the left. The airplane impacted low brush and boulders and traveled down a hill before coming to rest. The engine underwent its last overhaul on June 16, 2000, and had accumulated approximately 5 hours since the overhaul, 2 of which were in the engine test cell. Post-accident examination of the engine revealed that the two connecting rod bolt nuts for the number 6 rod were laying in the bottom of the engine case. The nuts were not stripped or damaged. ## Factual narrative On June 28, 2000, at 0850 mountain standard time, a Cessna 182K single engine airplane, N3094Q, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power near Mayer, Arizona. The airplane was registered to and operated by Prescott Precision Die, Prescott, Arizona. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from Prescott at 0810, and was destined for the Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, Arizona. The personal cross-country flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed. According to the pilot's written statement, he departed Prescott and was established in a cruise climb when he heard and felt a loud explosion coming from the engine. He then observed numerous punctures in the top of the engine cowling after the explosion, and reported that the engine stopped running within 10 seconds. The pilot made a mayday call to air traffic control and elected to land on a gravel road. He reported that the airplane touched down at 70 knots and eventually ran off the side of the gravel road, which had a sharp bend to the left. The airplane impacted low brush and boulders and traveled down a hill before coming to rest with structural damage to the horizontal stabilizer. The engine underwent its last overhaul on June 16, 2000, and had accumulated approximately 5 hours since the overhaul, 2 of which were in the engine test cell. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector witnessed a post-accident examination of the engine. The examination revealed that the number 6 connecting rod bolt nuts were found laying in the bottom of the engine case. The nuts were not stripped or damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3094Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3094Q), registered now, S/N 18258094, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182K - Registry model: [Cessna 182K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182k) (registry code 2072724) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18258094 - Airframe hours: 3747.3 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Prescott Precision Die - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 16, 2000, 5 hours before - Departed: PRC, Prescott, AZ - Destination: PHX, Phoenix, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 6, 1998; seat: left; flight hours: 2,025 total, 476 in this make and model, 1,889 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: PRC ## 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 20000629007189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000629007189A), Jun 29, 2000: Cessna 182K, Mayer, AZ, No damage. (-23) On June 28, 2000, at 0850 hours MST a Cessna 182K, N3094Q, owned by prescott precision die, and operated by commerical pilot william s. friedman,… ## Other investigations on N3094Q (2) 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. - [NTSB WPR22LA323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA323), Aug 30, 2022: Cessna 182K (N3094Q), Tooele, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: Loss of brake pressure to both sets of brakes during taxi due to failed brake caliper O-ring seals, which resulted in a loss of directional control. - [NTSB NYC68D0105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC68D0105), Aug 4, 1967: Cessna 182 (N3094Q), Canaan, CT, substantial damage 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.