# NTSB NYC93LA023: Cessna C-152, N49269, Petersham, MA, October 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1992, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Petersham, MA
- Location: 42.4910° N, 72.1872° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Petersham, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4910&lon=-72.1872&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37262
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37262/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA023

## Probable cause

THE IMPRPOER MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES WHICH RESULTED IN ENGINE FAILURE AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb
  - maintenance,major repair - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - engine assembly,ring - incorrect (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil line - not secured (cause)
  - lubricating system - leak (cause)
  - engine assembly,piston - movement restricted (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT AND THE INSTRUCTOR WERE CONDUCTING A SIMULATED FORCED LANDING.  THE INSTRUCTOR SAID, '[THE] ENGINE FAILED TO RESPOND TO THROTTLE APPLICATION AFTER PROLONGED POWER OFF.'  THE PILOT SAID THAT HE USED CARBURETOR HEAT PRIOR TO AND DURING THE DESCENT.  HE ALSO SAID THAT HE CLEARED THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES.  THE INSTRUCTOR PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD.  THERE WAS A LARGE STREAK OF OIL FROM THE ENGINE TO THE TAIL OF THE AIRPLANE.  EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE #3 CYLINDER OIL DRAIN LINE WAS DISCONNECTED.  FAA INSPECTORS FOUND APPROXIMATELY 2 QUARTS OF OIL IN THE ENGINE CRANKCASE.  THE #3 CYLINDER HAD BEEN REPLACED PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT.  IT WAS ALSO FOUND THAT THE RINGS ON THIS CYLINDER WERE CHROME, AND THE CYLINDER WAS CHROME.  THIS WAS AGAINST THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER.  THE #3 CYLINDER WALLS WERE SCORCHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49269](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49269-1995-05-10), registration cancelled 1995-05-10, S/N 15281214 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15281214
- Airframe hours: 6513
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Amity Aircraft Flight School
- Registered owner: Deborah Giordano
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 1992, 1 hours before
- Departed: ORH, WORCESTER, MA
- Destination: ORH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 21,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 19,300 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 23 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORH, 25 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 19921017042349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921017042349A), Oct 17, 1992: Cessna 152, Petersham, MA, Substantial damage. Engine quit causing forced landing. Lost oil from unconnected cylinder drainline. Chrome rings in chrome cylinder.

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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