# NTSB LAX88LA283: Cessna 175, N7355M, Needles, CA, August 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1988, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Needles, CA
- Coordinates: 34.779186, -114.590148 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7792&lon=-114.5901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26077
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA283
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26077/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA283

## 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 - normal
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - separation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE AT CRUISE FLIGHT, THE PILOT NOTICED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE WAS LOW AND SHUTDOWN THE ENGINE. DURING THE EMERGENCY LANDING, THE PROP FREEWHEELED, VIBRATED SEVERELY, AND SMOKE FILLED THE COCKPIT. THE ACFT LANDED ON A PIPELINE RIGHT OF WAY CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE NOSE GEAR AND FIREWALL. DURING THE INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE AFTER THE ACCIDENT, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE NUMBER 4 CONNECTING ROD HAD BROKEN. OIL HAD ESCAPED THROUGH A HOLE IN THE CASE AND LEAKED ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7355M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7355M-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 55655, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175
- Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 55655
- Airframe hours: 2665
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Henkle, Gregory
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1988, 40 hours before
- Departed: P06, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ
- Destination: HMT, HEMET, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 89 total, 89 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 109 °F

## 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 19880807033599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880807033599A), Aug 7, 1988: Cessna 175, Needles, CA, Substantial damage. Engine connecting rod broke penetrated engilne case put smoke in cabin. Crash landed on a pipeline right of way.

## Other investigations on N7355M (1)

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 LAX80FUA04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FUA04), Dec 7, 1979: Cessna 175 (N7355M), Huntington Bch, CA, 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.

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