- Date
- May 4, 1983, 00:47 local (05:47 UTC)
- Place
- Cape Girardeau, MO
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N1996ECessna 172N
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19830504017099A
- Case key
- 33404
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilots were participating in a grand prix air race. After a normal preflight, they took off & crossed over the arpt for race timing purposes. A climb was begun on course, and a short time later, the engine began loosing power. The aircrew turned back toward the arpt, but the engine began to run rough, then quit. During a forced landing in a muddy field, the nose gear collapsed & the acft stopped abruptly. An exam of the engine revealed that a connecting rod had failed & punctured the crankcase. Bearing damage was evident thru-out the engine reflecting lack of lubrication. Two magneto drive cushions were found blocking the oil sys pick-up tube. These were in addition to the two which were properly installed in the magneto drive sys. An opening between the accessory section & the oil sump would allow the cushions to enter the oil sump.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N1996E
- Reported as
- Cessna 172N
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17271113
- Airframe hours
- 608
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-H2AD, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Consolidated Oil Well Ser.,Inc
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · October 25, 1982 · 32 hours before
- Destination
- CVG · Cincinnati, OH
- Flight plan
- VFR
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 46
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 318 total · 208 in this make and model · 211 as pilot in command · 8 in the last 90 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 48 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- CGI, 1 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.