# NTSB NYC95LA066: Cessna 175, N7175M, Quantico, VA, March 3, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1995, 00:30 local (05:30 UTC)
- Place: Quantico, VA
- Coordinates: 38.520935, -77.290245 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5209&lon=-77.2902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38927
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38927/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA066

## Probable cause

the failure of a connecting rod, which resulted in the total loss of engine power.  Subsequently, the airplane was ditched.

## 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
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- Ditching, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THERE WAS A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND NO OIL PRESSURE INDICATION.  THE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING AND DITCHED THE AIRPLANE IN THE POTOMAC RIVER.  THE FAA INSPECTOR'S REPORT STATED, '...UPON INSPECTING THE ENGINE, A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 3 INCH IN DIAMETER WAS FOUND IN THE UPPER PART OF THE CRANK CASE.  PART OF THE NUMBER 3 CONNECTING ROD WAS LAYING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE....'

## Factual narrative

On Friday, March 3, 1995, about 0030 eastern standard time, a Cessna 175, N7175M, piloted and owned by James W. Milroy, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Quantico, Virginia.  The pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  There was no flight plan for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated that he departed Hyde Field, Clinton, Maryland, destined for Blackstone, Virginia.  While in cruise flight at 2000 feet mean sea level, he noticed a loss of power and observed no oil pressure indication.

The pilot initiated a forced landing and ditched the airplane in the Potomac River, near the shore line.  The airplane came to rest right-side-up in approximately 4 feet of water.

The Federal Aviation Administration Inspector's report stated:

...Upon inspecting the engine, a hole approximately 3"      in diameter was found in the upper part of the crank      case.  Part of the number 3 connecting rod was laying      on top of the engine....

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7175M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7175M-2013-05-03), registration cancelled 2013-05-03, S/N 55475, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175
- Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 55475
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GO-300 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James W. Milroy
- Departed: W32, CLINTON, MD
- Destination: BKT, BLACKSTONE, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,500 total, 300 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark

## 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 19950303049349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950303049349A), Mar 3, 1995: Cessna 175, Indianhead, MD, Substantial damage. (-16) Aircraft departed hyde field (W32). Pilot reported to Washington radio, that he had an engine problem. The pilot tried to make quantico air station, but…

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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