# NTSB MKC88LA182: Cessna 172E, N3943S, Harrison, AR, October 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1988, 23:00 local (Oct 1, 1988, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Harrison, AR
- Coordinates: 36.240749, -93.109642 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2407&lon=-93.1096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34648
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34648/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA182

## 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 filler cap - not secured (cause)
  - aircraft service - improper, ground personnel (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil filler cap - disconnected (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE IN NORMAL CRUISE FLT, THE PLT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY. HE STATED THE ENG HAD FAILED & THAT HE THOUGHT IT HAD 'THROWN A ROD.'  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED DRG AN EMERG LANDING IN A WOODED AREA. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE #6 CONNECTING ROD ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED FROM LACK OF LUBRICATION. THE OIL FILLER CAP WAS NOT IN PLACE; ALTHOUGH IT WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE CHAIN. THE PLT HAD STOPPED IN JONESBORO, ARKANSAS, WHERE THE ACFT WAS SVCD WITH FUEL & ONE QUART OF OIL. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER THE ACFT WAS SVCD WITH OIL, HE OBSERVED THE LINE ATTENDANT REPLACE THE OIL CAP. HIS MED CERT WAS DATED 4/3/86.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3943S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3943S-1995-08-26), registration cancelled 1995-08-26, S/N 17251143 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E
- Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17251143
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Zarimba, Joseph
- Registered owner: Joseph Zarimba
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: JBR, JONESBORO, AR
- Destination: FSM, FORT SMITH, AR
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 5,091 total, 4,959 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,700 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HRO, 15 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 19880930042679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880930042679A), Sep 30, 1988: Cessna 172E, Harrison, AR, Substantial damage. Failed to secure oil cap. Engine ran out of oil. Forced landing in trees. Medical had expired.

## Other investigations on N3943S (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI69F0592](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI69F0592), Apr 25, 1969: Cessna 172 (N3943S), Somerset, KY, substantial damage

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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