# NTSB LAX02LA292: Cessna 172RG, N6303V, Del Mar, CA, September 21, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 21, 2002, 14:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Del Mar, CA - Coordinates: 32.900001, -117.26667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9000&lon=-117.2667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55760 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA292 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55760/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA292 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to failure of the number three connecting rod cap. Also causal was the failure of the pilot of a previous flight to report an engine overspeed event precluding the performance of the appropriate maintenance inspection. ## 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 - information - not issued, pilot of a previous flight (cause) - engine assembly - overspeed - lubricating system,oil line - leak (cause) - engine assembly,connecting rod cap - separation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane made an off airport forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that approximately 20 minutes after takeoff, the engine stopped, and he made a forced landing in a dirt field. During the landing roll, the nose wheel fell into a culvert, which resulted in substantial damage to airframe structural members. The previous night, another pilot reported an "rpm bump" to maintenance personnel. They discovered a leak in the oil cooler return line and it was repaired. It was later determined that the rpm topped out at over 3,000 rpm, which requires engine disassembly and inspection in accordance with the applicable overhaul manual by Textron Lycoming Service Bulletin (SB) 3691. The SB defines an overspeed as an increase of no more than 10 percent of rated engine rpm for a period not exceeding 3 seconds. In Chart 11 of SB 3691, the engine overspeed described was greater than 10 percent, which requires engine disassembly and inspection in accordance with the applicable overhaul manual. The maximum rated speed on the engine was 2,970 rpm. The rod cap separated from the rod on the number 3 cylinder. Pieces of metal were throughout the interior of the engine. ## Factual narrative On September 21, 2002, about 1450 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172RG, N6303V, made an off airport forced landing following a loss of engine power near Del Mar, California. Air Charter Express, Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight departed McClellan-Palomar Field (CRQ), Carlsbad, California, about 1430, en route to Montgomery Field (MYF) San Diego, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that approximately 20 minutes after takeoff, during cruise flight, the engine stopped, and he made a forced landing in a dirt field. During the landing roll the nose wheel fell into a culvert, which resulted in substantial damage to airframe structural members. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector interviewed the pilot and personnel at Air Charter Express. The previous night, another pilot reported an "rpm bump" to maintenance personnel. The maintenance personnel discovered a leak in the oil cooler return line and it was repaired. No other inspections were preformed. Subsequent investigation determined that the overspeed was not the 50 rpm that was reported by the previous pilot, but rather the engine speed topped out at over 3,000 rpm, which requires engine disassembly and inspection. Textron Lycoming Service Bulletin (SB) 3691,states that overspeed is defined as an increase of no more than 10 percent of rated engine rpm for a period not exceeding 3 seconds. In Chart 11 of SB 3691, the engine overspeed described was greater than 10 percent, which requires engine disassembly and inspection in accordance with the applicable overhaul manual. The maximum rated speed on the engine was 2,970 rpm. An FAA inspector supervised disassembly of the engine. The rod cap separated from the rod on the number 3 cylinder. Pieces of metal were throughout the interior of the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6303V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6303V-2003-07-22), registration cancelled 2003-07-22, S/N 172RG0615, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172RG - Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172RG0615 - Airframe hours: 3900 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-FIA6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Air Charter Express, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 10, 2002, 30 hours before - Departed: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA - Destination: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 26, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 6,692 total, 110 in this make and model, 6,600 as pilot in command, 144 in the last 90 days, 62 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: NKX, 4 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 20020921025049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020921025049A), Sep 21, 2002: Cessna 172RG, Carlsbad, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 21, 2002, about 1445 pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172RG, N6303V, made an off airport forced landing following a loss of engine power near… 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.