# NTSB NYC89LA075: Cessna 152, N25420, Fire Island, NY, January 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 28, 1989, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Fire Island, NY
- Location: 40.6366° N, 73.2049° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fire Island, NY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6366&lon=-73.2049&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36370
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36370/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA075

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF AN UNAUTHORIZED SEALANT USED ON THE OIL RESSURE SCREEN HOUSING GASKET CONTAMINATED THE OIL AND RESTRICTED THE FLOW OF OIL THROUGH THE MAIN BEARINGS CAUSING OIL STARVATION AND CONNECTING ROD, BEARING, AND BOLT FAILURE.

## 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 filter/screen
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fluid,oil - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - failure,total (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS AT 2,000 FEET OVER FIRE ISLAND BEACH WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. DURING A LANDING ON A SANDY BEACH, THE GEAR SANK INTO THE SAND AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. A SEALANT USED ON THE OIL PRESSURE SCREEN HOUSING GASKET WAS FOUND IN THE MAIN BEARING OIL SUPPLY HOLES. THE NUMBER ONE CONNECTING ROD, BEARING, AND BOLT FAILED. METAL WAS FOUND IN THE OIL, SUCTION SCREEN, AND OIL PRESSURE SCREEN HOUSING. TEXTRON LYCOMING DOES NOT HAVE A PROCEDURE FOR THE USE OF A SEALANT ON ANY GASKETS DURING THE ASSEMBLY OF ENGINES. 100 HOUR AND ANNUAL INSPECTIONS WERE PERFORMED 1.7 HOURS PRIOR TO ENGINE FAILURE. SPECTROMETRIC OIL ANALYSIS WAS NORMAL AND THE OIL SCREEN WAS CLEANED DURING THE INSPECTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25420](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25420-1989-06-20), registration cancelled 1989-06-20, S/N 15280646 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15280646
- Airframe hours: 4324
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nassau Flyers
- Registered owner: Mark Weiss
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 1, 1989, 2 hours before
- Departed: FRG, FARMINGDALE, NY
- Destination: FOK, WESTHAMPTON BCH, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 128 total, 97 in this make and model, 63 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890128001479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890128001479A), Jan 28, 1989: Cessna 152, Fire Island, NY, Destroyed. Loud bang, oil smoke. Nosed over landing on beach. Threw a rod. Improper sealant on oil screen clogged oil lines.

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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