# NTSB MIA89LA061: Cessna R172K, N736BX, Margate, FL, January 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 5, 1989, 02:40 local (07:40 UTC)
- Place: Margate, FL
- Coordinates: 26.249557, -80.209327 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.2496&lon=-80.2093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32379
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32379/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA061

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE ENGINE DRIVEN OIL PUMP DUE TO FOREIGN OBJECT(S), WHICH RESULTED IN OIL STARVATION AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE FAILURE.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  DARK NIGHT AND TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## 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
  - lubricating system,oil pressure pump - foreign object (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil pressure pump - failure,total (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total
  - engine assembly - seized
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE BEING VECTORED TO INTERCEPT THE LOCALIZER COURSE AT AN ALTITUDE OF APRX 2200 FT, APRX 5 MILES FROM THE ARPT, THE RPM GAUGE FLUCTUATED. THE PLT APPLIED FULL THROTTLE, MIXTURE & PROPELLER CONTROLS, BUT THE ENG THEN LOST POWER. DURING A SUBSEQUENT OFF-AIRPORT FORCED LANDING AT NIGHT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED EVIDENCE OF OIL STARVATION. THE ENG DRIVEN OIL PUMP DRIVE SHAFT HAD FAILED FROM OVERLOAD AFTER FOREIGN OBJECT(S) BECAME LODGED BETWEEN THE HOUSING & THE GEARS. ALSO, THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF ENG SEIZURE AFTER THE #6 CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED & THAT THE #5 CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED FROM OVERLOAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N736BX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N736BX-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N R1722407, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA R172K
- Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1722407
- Airframe hours: 1087
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-K 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harris, Stephen P.
- Registered owner: Harris, Paul S
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, November 2, 1988, 32 hours before
- Departed: SAV, SAVANNAH, GA
- Destination: FXE, FT LAUDERDALE, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: FXE, Ft Lauderdale Executive

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 336 total, 104 in this make and model, 159 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 330° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLL, 11 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 19890105000189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890105000189A), Jan 5, 1989: Cessna 172K, Ft Lauderdale, FL, Substantial damage. Connecting rod failure caused power loss and further engine damage. Struck scrub oak trees on forced landing.

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.