# NTSB LAX87LA113: Cessna 152, N24317, Tucson, AZ, February 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 8, 1987, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.150768, -110.929222 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1508&lon=-110.9292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25520
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25520/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA113

## 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, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - chafed (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - poor, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
  - fluid,oil - contamination
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT DEVELOPED A VIBRATION AND A SUBSTANTIAL POWER LOSS. THE ACFT WAS FORCED TO LAND OFF THE ARPT IN THE HIGH VEGETATION. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE #3 CYLINDER WAS NOT DEVELOPING COMPRESSION. THE PROPELLER WAS ROTATED AND THE PISTON WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE #3 CYLINDER ASSEMBLY AND PISTON WERE REMOVED AND FOUND THAT THE CONNECTING ROD BEARING WAS BADLY SCORED WITH NO APPARENT LUBRICATION VISIBLE. ONE CONNECTING ROD BOLT WAS FOUND SHEARED. A SAMPLE OF OIL WAS ANALYZED AND FOUND TO CONTAIN A SLIGHTLY HIGH CONTENT OF DIRT. A HIGH CONTENT OF ALUMINUM AND COPPER WERE ALSO NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24317](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24317-2014-07-08), registration cancelled 2014-07-08, S/N 15280214, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15280214
- Airframe hours: 2624
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Tucson Flight Center
- Registered owner: George T. Jr. Gregory
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 14, 1986, 77 hours before
- Departed: TUS, TUCSON, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 793 total, 319 in this make and model, 625 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 14 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUS, 10 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 19870208002489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870208002489A), Feb 8, 1987: Cessna 152, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. The engine failed in flight. Aircraft landed in rough terrain. Connecting rod bearings. Worn, lack of lubrication.

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.