# NTSB MIA96LA161: Cessna 170A, N9230A, Southside, AL, June 22, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 22, 1996, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Southside, AL - Coordinates: 33.889076, -86.019966 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8891&lon=-86.0200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38034 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA161 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38034/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA161 ## Probable cause failure of an oil line between the engine and the oil cooler, which resulted in loss of oil, oil starvation, and subsequent seizure of the engine. Factors relating to the accident were: the effects of a tailwind during the forced landing, and failure of the pilot to achieve the proper touchdown point during the landing. ## 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 - lubricating system,oil line - failure (cause) - fluid,oil - leak (cause) - fluid,oil - starvation (cause) - powerplant - seized - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Overrun, emergency landing - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The pilot stated he was in cruise flight at 2,000 feet when he observed a drop in oil pressure followed by a sound similar to a rod coming loose. Subsequently, a total loss of engine power occurred, and a forced landing was made to a private airstrip. The approach was steep (high) to clear a house and with a tailwind. The airplane touched down long, went off the end of the runway, and nosed over. Examination of the airplane revealed the oil line from the engine to the oil cooler had ruptured, causing a loss of engine oil, and seizure of the engine. ## Factual narrative On June 22, 1996, about 1300 central daylight time, a Cessna 170A, N9230A, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise flight in the vicinity of Southside, Alabama. The pilot made a forced landing to a private airport and crashed on landing rollout. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Gadsden, Alabama, about 20 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated that he was in cruise flight at 2,000 feet when he observed a drop in oil pressure followed by sounds similar to a rod coming loose and a subsequent total loss of engine power. He made a forced landing to a private airstrip. The approach was excessive (high) to clear a house and with a tail wind. The airplane touched down long, went off the end of the runway, nosed over and came to rest inverted. On-scene examination of the airplane by the FAA, revealed the oil line from the engine to the oil cooler was ruptured, causing a loss of engine oil, and seizure of the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9230A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9230A-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N 18991, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170A - Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18491 - Airframe hours: 344 - Engines: Franklin 6A-335-B1 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Frank E. Roden - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 19, 1996, 20 hours before - Departed: GAD, GADSDEN, AL - Airport: runway 18, 2,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 168 total, 127 in this make and model, 136 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GAD, 5 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 19960622016619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960622016619A), Jun 22, 1996: Cessna 170A, Southside, AL, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Noted lost oil pressure. Heard rod failure. High and downwind approach to strip. Ran off end. 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.