# NTSB MKC87LA039: Cessna 120, N72516, Salem, AR, January 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 8, 1987, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Salem, AR
- Coordinates: 36.369361, -91.820404 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3694&lon=-91.8204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34333
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34333/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA039

## 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
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, cruise
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING FERRIED WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. THE ONLY AVAILABLE FIELD HAD CATTLE, HILLS AND TREES. ON LANDING ROLL THE PILOT HAD TO BRAKE HARD TO AVOID TREES. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER TO THE INVERTED POSITION. INSPECTION REVEALED TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE WITH A LARGE HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE CRANKCASE. DISASSEMBLY OF THE ENG REVEALED A BROKEN CONNECTING ROD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72516](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N72516), registered now, S/N 9686, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 9686
- Airframe hours: 2218
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Michael L. Froscher
- Registered owner: Garry J. Byers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 1986, 57 hours before
- Departed: PAH, PADUCAH, KY
- Destination: FYV, FAYETTEVILLE, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,236 total, 8 in this make and model, 1,116 as pilot in command, 174 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19870108000489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870108000489A), Jan 8, 1987: Cessna 120, Salem, AR, Substantial damage. The aircraft flipped over during a forced landing. The engine failed due to a broken connecting 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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