# NTSB NYC04LA210: Cessna 172B, N7422X, Wiscasset, ME, September 12, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 12, 2004, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Wiscasset, ME - Coordinates: 44, -69.716667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0000&lon=-69.7167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-05 - NTSB case key (mKey): 60116 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA210 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60116/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA210 ## Probable cause The failure of the oil filter adapter seal, which resulted in a loss of oil pressure, and subsequent catastrophic engine failure, and forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - lubricating system,oil seal - failure (cause) - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure - engine assembly,crankshaft - failure - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) ## Analysis While in cruise flight, the engine suddenly began to lose oil pressure. Thirty seconds later, the engine quit, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane struck trees and flipped over. Examination of the engine revealed oil in the engine compartment and an oil leak that originated from the seal where the oil filter adapter attached to the crankcase. A subsequent teardown of the engine reveled that the number 1 connecting rod was fractured and exhibited thermal signatures, consistent with high temperatures. Fragments of bearing and connecting rod material were located in the oil sump. The fragments were blackened, consistent with exposure to high temperatures. In addition, the crankshaft exhibited thermal damage and smearing on the number 1 and number 2 connecting rod journals. ## Factual narrative On September 12, 2004, about 1330 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172B, N7422X, experienced a loss of engine power during cruise flight, and was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Wiscasset, Maine. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed Greenville Municipal Airport, Greenville, Maine, destined for the Wiscasset Airport (IWI), Wiscasset, Maine. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that he was about 2 miles west-northwest of IWI, at an altitude 1,000 feet msl, when the engine suddenly began to lose oil pressure. Thirty seconds later, the engine quit, and he performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane struck trees and flipped over. Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed oil in the engine compartment and an oil leak that originated from the seal where the oil filter adapter attached to the crankcase. A subsequent teardown of the engine reveled that the number 1 connecting rod was fractured and exhibited thermal signatures, consistent with high temperatures. Fragments of bearing and connecting rod material were located in the oil sump. The fragments were blackened, consistent with exposure to high temperatures. In addition, the crankshaft exhibited thermal damage and smearing on the number 1 and number 2 connecting rod journals. The engine had been operated for about 1,450 hours since it was last overhauled. The most recent annual inspection was conducted on October 1, 2003, about 65 hours prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: N7422X (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172B - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17247922 - Airframe hours: 4153 - Engines: Teledyne Continental O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Peter K. Shorey - Registered owner: Russell P. Guiboro - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2003 - Departed: 3B1, Greenville, ME - Destination: IWI, Wiscasset, ME - Airport: IWI, Wiscasset, runway 25, 3,397 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 329 total, 229 in this make and model, 285 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: IWI, 3 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 20040912021099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040912021099A), Sep 12, 2004: Cessna 172B, Woolwich, ME, Substantial damage. (-23) At 1330 hrs. LCL, on 9/12/04, at approximately 1200 ft MSL, the pilot and passenger heard a loud rapping noise. They checked the oil pressure and found… 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.