- Date
- March 8, 1991, 08:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place
- Tucson, AZ
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N69116Cessna 152
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report March 31, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19910308004859A
- Case key
- 27134
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
Engine failure due to oil starvation caused by a rotation of the main bearing. A factor in the accident was the failure of the operator maintenance personnel to accomplish an engine overhaul within the interval specified by the manufacturer.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot of a Cessna 152 experienced engine failure during pilot training maneuvers. The student pilot stated the engine just 'froze.' Examination revealed that a crankshaft bearing rotated affecting the oil supply to number 3 and 4 connecting rods. Number 3 connecting rod failed. Examination of the engine log book revealed that the engine had accrued 2477.4 hours since major overhaul. The factory recommended time between overhaul was 2400 hours.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N69116
- Reported as
- Cessna 152
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 15282492
- Engine
- Lycoming O-235-L2C, 108 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional · Part 91
- Registered owner
- George T. Gregory, Jr.
- Last inspection
- Unknown · January 2, 2000
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 60
- Certificate
- Student
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Flight hours
- 90 total · 82 in this make and model · 47 as pilot in command · 15 in the last 90 days · 6 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 100° at 6 knots
- Visibility
- 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Observed at
- RYN, 6 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.