# NTSB MIA91LA161: Cessna 172K, N79542, Jacksonville, FL, June 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1991, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, FL
- Coordinates: 30.370864, -81.87059 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3709&lon=-81.8706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32883
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32883/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA161

## Probable cause

TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE OIL COOLER RESULTING IN OIL EXHAUSTION.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN.

## 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, cruise - normal
  - lubricating system,oil cooler - fatigue (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil cooler - failure,total (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLT, THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENG RPM DROPPED & THE OIL PRESSURE WAS ZERO. DURING THE DESCENT FOR A FORCED LANDING, THE ENGINE SEIZED.  AFTER TOUCHDOWN IN A FIELD, THE ACFT NOSED OVER.  EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE OIL COOLER CASE WAS CRACKED DUE TO FATIGUE.  THIS ALLOWED THE OIL SUPPLY TO BECOME EXHAUSTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N79542](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N79542-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 17258162 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17258162
- Airframe hours: 3527
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sheppard, Willie J
- Registered owner: Sheppard, Willie J
- Last inspection: Annual, June 19, 1990, 114 hours before
- Departed: 09J, JEKYLL ISLAND, GA
- Destination: SPG, ST. PETERSBURG, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 700 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910612021389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910612021389A), Jun 12, 1991: Cessna 172K, Jacksonville, FL, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure. Engine siezed. Nosed over on forced landing. Oil cooler cracked from fatigue. Lost oil.

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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