# NTSB LAX92LA273: Cessna U206E, N9455G, Mayer, AZ, July 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1992, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Mayer, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.339057, -112.030143 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3391&lon=-112.0301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27669
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA273
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27669/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA273

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE DUE TO THE SLIPPAGE OF THE NUMBER 2 MAIN BEARING AND THE RESULTANT OIL STARVATION FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 2 CONNECTING ROD. THE NUMBER 2 MAIN BEARING SLIPPAGE WAS CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT/OWNER TO OVERHAUL THE ENGINE IN A TIMELY FASHION WHEN INTERNAL WEAR PATTERNS INDICATED THAT A POTENTIAL BEARING PROBLEM EXISTED.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE NATURE OF THE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.

## 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,bearing - slipped (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul,major - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command
  - lubricating system,oil port/passage,internal - blocked(total) (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

THE ENGINE QUIT WITH A LOUD BANG ABOUT 15 MINUTES INTO THE CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A SMALL PASTURE. THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED ROUGH TERRAIN DURING THE LANDING ROLL OUT AND NOSED OVER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER 2 MAIN BEARING HAD SPUN, CLOSING OFF THE INTERNAL OIL PASSAGE IN THE CRANKSHAFT AND JOURNAL. THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A RESULTING OIL STARVATION FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 2 AND 3 CONNECTING RODS. REVIEW OF THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS ESTABLISHED THAT A MAINTENANCE FACILITY HAD FOUND A LARGE AMOUNT OF METAL PARTICLES IN THE OIL 40 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY WARNED THE PILOT ABOUT THE EXCESSIVE INTERNAL ENGINE WEAR, RECOMMENDING 'FURTHER INSPECTION PRIOR TO FLIGHT.' NO CORRECTIVE ACTION ENTRIES WERE NOTED IN THE LOGBOOK. THE ENGINE WAS FOUND TO HAVE ACCRUED 1,520 HOURS SINCE OVERHAUL. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS A TIME BETWEEN OVERHAUL INTERVAL OF 1,700 HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9455G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9455G-2013-11-04), registration cancelled 2013-11-04, S/N U20601655, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA U206E
- Registry model: [Cessna U206E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206e) (registry code 2073350) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U2061655
- Airframe hours: 4476
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Combined Energies Corp, doing business as Young Builders
- Registered owner: Combined Energies Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1992, 43 hours before
- Departed: DVT, PHOENIX, AZ
- Destination: ELY, ELY, NV
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 931 total, 200 in this make and model, 888 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920701026429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920701026429A), Jul 1, 1992: Cessna U206E, Mayer, AZ, Substantial damage. Bearing spun blocked oil. Engine threw a rod. Nosed over landing. Metal in oil prior. Further check advised not done

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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