# NTSB LAX97LA037: Cessna 152, N714VX, Williams, AZ, November 11, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 11, 1996, 11:05 local (18:05 UTC) - Place: Williams, AZ - Coordinates: 35.370788, -112.260238 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3708&lon=-112.2602&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29680 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29680/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA037 ## Probable cause a foreign object in the oil system, which resulted in failure of the oil pump, oil starvation, loss of engine power, and a subsequent forced landing. Rough/uneven terrain in the emergency landing area was a related factor. ## 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, takeoff - initial climb - lubricating system,oil pressure pump - foreign object damage (cause) - lubricating system,oil pressure pump - sheared (cause) - fluid,oil - starvation (cause) - engine assembly,bearing - overtemperature (cause) - engine assembly,crankshaft - seized - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - weather condition - high density altitude - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during initial climb, the engine gradually lost power. Subsequently, it crash landed on uneven/rocky terrain and came to rest against trees in an inverted attitude. Density altitude was computed to be about 7,300 feet. The pilot reported that prior to the flight, when he first started the engine, no indication of oil pressure was observed. He shut down the engine and purchased 1 quart of oil. No abnormal indications were observed during the subsequent ground check out or takeoff roll. However, during the initial climb, the oil pressure indicator dropped to zero pounds. A teardown examination of the engine was performed. The crankshaft assembly revealed signatures consistent with heat distress in the number 2 main journal area. The oil pump's drive shaft was found broken. A foreign metal object was observed wedged between the teeth of the pump's driving and driven gears, and the engagement end of the oil pump drive shaft was found sheared off. The foreign object resembled a small bolt or screw, which was not used in the manufacture of the engine. ## Factual narrative On November 11, 1996, about 1105 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 152, N714VX, operated by Sunbird Flight Services, Chandler, Arizona, experienced a total loss of engine power and collided with terrain during initial climb from runway 19 at the Valle Airport, near Williams, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The airplane was destroyed and the private pilot was seriously injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the Coconino County Sheriff's Department, a witness reported observing the airplane following its takeoff. The witness indicated that the airplane appeared to stall, flip upside down, and then collide with trees. The pilot reported that when he first started the engine no indication of engine oil pressure was observed. He shut down the engine and purchased 1 quart of oil. No abnormal indications were observed during the subsequent ground checkout or takeoff roll. During the initial climb, the oil pressure indicator dropped to 0 pounds, and the temperature indicator remained in the normal operating range. There was no indication of engine roughness, but power was lost. The pilot further reported that he checked the magnetos and fuel selector, and he pushed the mixture control in, but the engine continued to lose power. The airplane stalled, collided with trees, and came to rest in an inverted attitude. The airport's elevation is 6,002 feet mean sea level. The computed density altitude was about 7,300 feet. While under the supervision and direction of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the airplane was subsequently examined by a representative from Lycoming Engines. According to the FAA, during the teardown examination the oil pump's drive shaft was found broken. A foreign object was observed wedged between the teeth of the pump's driving and driven gears. The crankshaft engagement end of the oil pump drive shaft was found sheared off. The examination of the crankshaft assembly revealed signatures consistent with heat distress in the number 2 main journal area. The Lycoming representative verbally reported that the visual examination of the foreign object revealed it was metal and had threads. The object resembled a small bolt or screw. No screw or bolt of the type found was used by Lycoming in the engine's manufacture. According to the FAA, during the examinations of the engine and airframe no other findings were made which would have precipitated the loss of engine power or flight control. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N714VX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N714VX-1999-06-17), registration cancelled 1999-06-17, S/N 15279477, built 1977 (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: 15279477 - Airframe hours: 6654 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sunbird Flight Services - Registered owner: Judith A. Silva - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, September 5, 1996, 50 hours before - Departed: 40G - Destination: SEZ, SEDONA, AZ - Airport: 40G, Valle, runway 19, 4,262 × 45 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 138 total, 102 in this make and model, 105 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 5 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 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 19961111035049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961111035049A), Nov 11, 1996: Cessna 152, Grand Canyon, AZ, Destroyed. Witness reported that the aircraft wobbled and crashed nose first shortly after takeoff. (.4)according to the pilot, during initial climb, the engine gradually… ## Other investigations on N714VX (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 LAX89FA318](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA318), Sep 21, 1989: Cessna 152 (N714VX), Chandler, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT'S OF BOTH AIRCRAFT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL OUTLOOK FOR OTHER AIRCRAFT. 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.