# NTSB MIA08LA125: Cessna 152, N757HA, Leesburg, FL, June 22, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 22, 2008, 09:15 local (13:15 UTC) - Place: Leesburg, FL - Coordinates: 28.820554, -81.805274 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8206&lon=-81.8053&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68284 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08LA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68284/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08LA125 ## Probable cause The failure of the No. 3 connecting rod cap due to oil starvation. Contributing to the accident was the contamination of the engine oil. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Fatigue/wear/corrosion; cases with it: [Cessna 152, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md) - [Fluids: oil](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating): recip engine power section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 233 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, 12 minutes into the flight, he noticed that the rpm began to decrease after climbing through 1,900 feet. He said that he applied carburetor heat, but the engine "froze" seconds later, and made an off field emergency landing. During the examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and a Teledyne Lycoming engine representative it was revealed that the No. 3 connecting rod was detached from the crankshaft and was heat damaged. The engine was found to contain rust corrosion. Over time this leads to oil contamination and dirt particle embedment on the bearings. When bearings clearances decrease, this in affect can cause oil starvation. Review of maintenance records revealed that the engine was field overhauled on May 21, 2001. At the time of the overhaul, the engine had a total time of 3,552.6 hours. On April 18, 2008, during the annual inspection, it showed a total time of 1036.8 hours since overhaul. ## Factual narrative On June 22, 2008, at 0915 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N757HA, collided with a fence during an emergency landing near Leesburg, Florida. The airplane was substantially damaged. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries and the passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which departed from Orlando North Airpark, Zellwood, Florida at 0900. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot stated that about 12 minutes into the flight, he noticed that the rpm began to decrease after climbing through 1,900 feet. He said that he applied carburetor heat, but the engine "froze" seconds later. He then made an emergency landing, and struck a fence post. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and a Teledyne Lycoming engine representative revealed frontal impact damage to the engine. The carburetor and engine controls were impact damaged. The engine was removed from the airframe to facilitate detailed examination. Examination of the engine showed exterior corrosion and hardened fluid hoses. The spark plugs, valve covers, and accessory components were removed and bore scope. The examination of the top end components revealed no anomalies. The combustion chambers exhibited a gray color as did the spark plugs. Removal of the valve covers revealed heavy rust deposits on the interior. The oil suction screen was opened and free of debris. The oil filter was removed and opened which revealed small fine ferrous metallic particles both within the filter element and in the oil that remained within the canister. The rear accessory case was removed which revealed no anomalies. Internal gear train continuity was confirmed. The oil pump was opened and the gears were intact. Dirt particles and score marks on the interior of the pump housing was observed. The oil sump was removed which revealed that the No. 3 connecting rod was detached from the crankshaft and was heat damage. The No. 3 rod cap was found broken and sustained heat damage. Associated rod bolt fragments were retrieved and exhibited overload signatures. Extruded remains of bearing material from the No. 3 connecting rod were also retrieved from the oil sump. The engine was further disassembled, and the cam followers exhibited spalling wear. The mating surfaces of the center main crankshaft support web showed signs of fretting. Review of maintenance records revealed that the engine was field overhauled on May 21, 2001. At the time of the overhaul, the engine had a total time of 3,552.6 hours. On April 18, 2008, during the annual inspection, it showed a total time of 1036.8 hours since overhaul.. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N757HA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N757HA), registered now, S/N 15279742 (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: 15279742 - Airframe hours: 10340 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2008, 89 hours before - Departed: FA83, Zellwood, FL - Destination: OCF, OCALA, FL - Airport: LEE, Leesburg Muni ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 598 total, 569 in this make and model, 547 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KLEE, 10 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 20080622855019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080622855019A), Jun 22, 2008: Cessna 152, Tavares, FL, Destroyed. On the morning of 22 June 2008 N757HA piloted by private pilot [privacy data omitted] departed (FA83) orlando north airport for a pleasure flight to (ocf)… ## Other investigations on N757HA (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 ATL97LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA046), Mar 5, 1997: Cessna 152 (N757HA), Fernandina Bch, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: inadequate visual lookout by the student pilot, which resulted in a collision with a parked trailer, while his attention was diverted. The proximity of the trailer was a related factor. 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.