# NTSB NYC87DNC02: Cessna 172M, N5255R, Van Buren, ME, October 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: October 12, 1986, 20:45 local (Oct 13, 1986, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Van Buren, ME
- Location: 47.1670° N, 67.9489° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Van Buren, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1670&lon=-67.9489&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 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30448
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87DNC02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30448/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87DNC02

## 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
  - engine assembly,crankcase - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance,major repair - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - lack of experience, other maintenance personnel
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WHILE CLIMBING FROM 1000 FT. THE PILOT OF A C-172 EXPERICED AN ENGINE FAILURE AT 1500 FT AND MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING STRIKING SMALL TREES AND BRUSH. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT DOWEL PIN WAS SHEARED AND THE CRANKSHAFT GEAR BOLT AND LOCK PLATE WERE MISSING AND HAD PROBABLY NOT BEEN INSTALLED AT LAST OVERHAUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5255R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5255R-1990-08-22), registration cancelled 1990-08-22, S/N 17263469 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17263469
- Airframe hours: 2772
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jerry Drake, doing business as Jerry'S Flying Service,Inc.
- Registered owner: Pulmonary Support Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 28, 1986, 74 hours before
- Departed: CAR, CARIBOU, ME
- Destination: CAR, CARIBOU, ME

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 79 total, 14 in this make and model, 37 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 23,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAR, 17 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 19861012048589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861012048589A), Oct 12, 1986: Cessna 172M, Van Buren, ME, Substantial damage. Aircraft struck trees after engine failure. Crankshaft gear was found to be improperly installed.

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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