# NTSB NYC89LA150: Cessna 172N, N52HR, Niagara Falls, NY, June 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1989, 13:18 local (17:18 UTC)
- Place: Niagara Falls, NY
- Coordinates: 43.089504, -79.050331 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0895&lon=-79.0503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36424
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36424/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA150

## Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO OIL STARVATION AND COLLISION WITH TERRAIN DURING THE FORCED LANDING. THE OIL STARVATION WAS CAUSED BY THE OIL LEAKING OUT OF THE DRAIN BECAUSE MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL FAILED TO INSTALL THE DRAIN PLUG.

## 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 quickdrain/drain plug - not secured (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul,major - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil quickdrain/drain plug - loss,total (cause)
  - fluid,oil - loss,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE STARTED TO RUN ROUGH DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT OVER NIAGARA FALLS, NY, AND THE PILOT LANDED IN A WHEAT FIELD SHORT OF THE NIAGARA FALLS AIRPORT. THE NOSE WHEEL STUCK IN THE SOFT FIELD AND THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO THE PILOT OR HIS THREE PASSENGERS. THE OIL DRAIN PLUG WAS MISSING ALLOWING THE OIL TO DRAIN OUT AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN REPLACED 6 FLIGHT HOURS BEFORE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52HR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52HR-2013-10-28), registration cancelled 2013-10-28, S/N 17269354, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269354
- Airframe hours: 1631
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edward P. Oleksky
- Registered owner: Art Schmidt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 1989, 16 hours before
- Departed: 1AG, NIAGARA FALLS, NY
- Destination: 9G3, AKRON, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 119 total, 3 in this make and model, 67 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F
- 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 19890618016009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890618016009A), Jun 18, 1989: Cessna 172N, Sanborn, NY, Substantial damage. Engine failed. Nosed over landing in soft field. Mechanic on recent engine overhaul left the oil drain plug out.

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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