# NTSB MIA89LA058: Cessna 175, N9373B, Starke, FL, December 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 24, 1988, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Starke, FL
- Coordinates: 29.939411, -82.109367 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9394&lon=-82.1094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32376
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32376/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA058

## 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, approach
  - eng assembly,crankshaft counterweights/vib damper - loose (cause)
  - engine assembly,camshaft - worn (cause)
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - fatigue (cause)
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

FLT WAS 3 MILES EAST OF ARPT RETURNING TO LAND AT ALT OF APRX 2,000 FT, WHEN THE ENG QUIT. PLT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART & ELECTED TO LAND IN SMALL TREES AS A NEARBY HIGHWAY WAS CONGESTED. ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & FELL TO THE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE ENG REVEALED THE CRANKSHAFT FAILED AT THE REAR CRANKSHAFT CHEEK BETWEEN #1 & #2 CYLINDER CONNECTING RODS. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED CRANKSHAFT REVEALED LOW & HIGH CYCLE FATIGUE. EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY VIBRATIONS OF THE CRANKSHAFT DURING CONTACT OF THE THREE DYNAMIC COUNTERWEIGHTS TO THE ADJACENT CAMSHAFT LOBES. COUNTERWEIGHT CONTACT WAS CAUSED BY WORN COUNTERWEIGHT BUSHING. REVIEW OF THE ENG LOGBOOKS REVEALED A MAJOR OVERHAUL WAS PERFORMED IN 1969, APRX 793 HRS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THREE TOP OVERHAULS WERE PERFORMED. THE FIRST & SECOND PERFORMED AT ONE YEAR INTERVALS AFTER THE MAJOR. THE THIRD WAS PERFORMED 10 YEARS AFTER THE SECOND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9373B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9373B-1989-03-15), registration cancelled 1989-03-15, S/N 55173 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175
- Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 55173
- Airframe hours: 2901
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GO-300A 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jolley, Venoy J
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 30, 1988, 29 hours before
- Departed: 42J, KEYSTONE HEIGHT, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 127 total, 20 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 17 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 19881224056479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881224056479A), Dec 24, 1988: Cessna 175, Starke, FL, Substantial damage. Engine failed on local flight. Crash landed in trees. Worn counterweight. Bushings broke crankshaft.

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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