# NTSB LAX96LA338: Cessna 152, N94381, Fresno, CA, September 18, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 17, 1996, 17:18 local (Sep 18, 1996, 00:18 UTC) - Place: Fresno, CA - Coordinates: 36.750785, -119.669654 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7508&lon=-119.6697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29564 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA338 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29564/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA338 ## Probable cause A separation of a connecting rod due to a lack of internal lubrication from a blocked oil passage after a bearing had shifted on its journal. ## 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, climb - to cruise - engine assembly,bearing - shifted (cause) - lubricating system,oil port/passage,internal - obstructed (contributing factor) - engine assembly,connecting rod - separation (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis Shortly after departure and after climbing through 4,000 feet, the engine failed. The pilot executed an forced landing in a soft open field. During the landing rollout, the nose gear dug into the dirt and the aircraft nosed over. Examination of the engine disclosed that the bearing had shifted on the journal blocking the oil lubrication passage which resulted in a separation of the connecting rod and subsequent engine failure. ## Factual narrative On September 17, 1996, at 1718 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N94381, nosed over in an open field after executing an emergency landing 2 miles west of the Fresno Chandler Airport, Fresno, California. The emergency landing was precipitated by a total loss of power. The pilot was conducting a visual flight rules instructional solo flight to Oakland International Airport, Oakland, California. The airplane, operated by Sierra Academy of Aeronautics, Oakland, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Oakland International Airport as a round robin cross-country flight to Fresno Air Terminal, Fresno, at an undetermined time. The flight departed Fresno Air Terminal at 1703. The pilot told a Fresno County Sheriff's Deputy that when the airplane was climbing through 4,000 feet mean sea level (msl), the engine sustained a total loss of power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine, but without success. The Fresno departure controller provided a radar vector toward the Fresno Chandler Airport, but the airplane's altitude was insufficient to negotiate a landing on the airport. The pilot elected to land in an open field. The airplane touched down normally and during the landing rollout, the airplane's nose gear dug in the dirt and the airplane nosed over onto its back. The deputy reported that the airplane touched down in a southerly direction. The wheel's ground tracks continued for about 100 yards until the airplane became inverted. An Federal Aviation Administation airworthiness inspector from the Fresno Flight Standards District Office conducted the on-scene investigation. On September 20, 1996, the inspector reported the engine examination disclosed a bearing had turned on the crankshaft which covered the crankshaft journal's oil passage and the connecting rod separated. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N94381](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94381-2022-05-09), registration cancelled 2022-05-09, S/N 15285659 (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: 15285659 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Sierra Academy Of Aeronautics - Registered owner: Aircraft Holdings - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FAT - Destination: OAK, OAKLAND, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FAT ## 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 19960918028569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960918028569A), Sep 18, 1996: Cessna 152, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power on climb to cruise. Unable return to fch. Nosed over. Bearing shift blocked oil. Thru connecting rod. 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.