# NTSB LAX91LA126: Cessna 152, N69116, Tucson, AZ, March 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1991, 08:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.149627, -110.930122 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1496&lon=-110.9301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27134
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27134/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA126

## 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

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering
  - engine assembly,bearing - slipped (cause)
  - lubricating system - blocked(total) (cause)
  - engine assembly - seized (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul - not performed, fbo personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69116-2017-06-30), registration cancelled 2017-06-30, S/N 15282492 (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: 15282492
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910308004859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910308004859A), Mar 8, 1991: Cessna 152, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine seized. Made forced landing. Crankshaft bearings rotated through a rod. Engine time 77 hours over factory tbo

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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