# NTSB MKC83LA100: Cessna 172N, N1996E, Cape Girardeau, MO, May 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1983, 00:47 local (05:47 UTC)
- Place: Cape Girardeau, MO
- Coordinates: 37.339778, -89.570953 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3398&lon=-89.5710&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33404
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33404/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA100

## 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, climb - to cruise
  - lubricating system,oil tubing - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271113
- Airframe hours: 608
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 46; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830504017099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830504017099A), May 4, 1983: Cessna 172N, Cape Girardeau, MO, Substantial damage. Engine quit shortly after takeoff. Oil sump became blocked by mag drive cushions. Oil starved engine threw a rod.

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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