# NTSB NYC99LA081: Cessna 177RG, N177AR, Pottstown, PA, March 28, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 27, 1999, 21:12 local (Mar 28, 1999, 02:12 UTC) - Place: Pottstown, PA - Coordinates: 40.249786, -75.640686 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2498&lon=-75.6407&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45984 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC99LA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45984/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA081 ## Probable cause The failure of maintenance personnel to properly inspect and torque the crankcase bolts. ## 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 - to cruise - engine assembly,crankcase - loose part/bolt/nut/clamp/etc - maintenance,inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - bridge/overpass ## Analysis During a climb, the engine started to shake violently and lost power. A forced landing was made to a two-lane highway, and the airplane impacted an overpass support. Inspection of the wreckage revealed the number 2 cylinder had separated from the engine. Examination of the engine revealed sealant applied to the upper portion of the crankcase. The top crankcase fasteners were tested for torque, and began to turn before the specified 96-inch pounds recommended by the manufacturer. When the crankcase was split open, fretting to the parting surfaces was observed. The center main bearing exhibited signs of movement and fretting on the bearing saddle. Fretting was also found on the number 2 and 3 cylinder flanges and corresponding crankcase decks. The engine was last overhauled on July 14, 1994. The engine had accumulated a total time of 1285 hours since the overhaul. The top parting surface of the crankcase was resealed on February 7, 1997, November 20, 1998, and March 17, 1999. The last noted entry for tightening the crankcase bolts was on June 19, 1998. The number 2 and number 3 cylinder were last removed and replaced on April 2, 1997, by an overhaul facility. ## Factual narrative On March 27, 1999, about 2112 Eastern Standard Time, a Cessna 177RG, N177AR, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that he had departed from the Reading Regional Airport, Reading, Pennsylvania, for a cross-country flight to Ocean City, New Jersey. During the climb, passing through 5,000 feet, the engine started to shake violently and lost power. The pilot was in contact with Philadelphia Approach Control, and advised them of a loss of power. The controller told the pilot that Pottstown Municipal Airport was located 5 miles southwest. The pilot turned towards the airport and began a descent. About 1 mile from the airport the pilot decided that he would not be able to make the runway and maneuvered for a forced landing. The airplane touched down on a two-lane highway, struck an overpass with the left wing, rotated 180 degrees, and came to rest upright in a ditch. An inspection of the wreckage by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed the number 2 cylinder had separated from the engine and was lodged into the cowling. The engine was removed from the wreckage and disassembled under the supervision of NTSB personnel at Textron Lycoming, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on June 24, 1999. Examination of the engine revealed sealant applied to the upper portion of the crankcase. The top crankcase fasteners were tested for torque, and began to turn before the specified 96-inch pounds recommended by the manufacturer. When the crankcase was split open, fretting to the parting surfaces was observed. The center main bearing exhibited signs of movement and fretting was observed on the bearing saddle. Fretting was also found on the number 2 and 3 cylinder flanges and corresponding crankcase decks. The number 2 cylinder thru stud torque could not be determined due to missing nuts on the opposing side. When the thru studs were removed, heavy fretting was noted around the stud hole area on the crankcase parting surfaces. The thru stud diameter matched the recommended diameter as specified in the manufacturer service instruction (SI) No. 1029D. The number 2-cylinder piston connecting rod and its associated components were not recovered after the accident. The oil sump and filter were inspected for debris. Only fragments consistent to a piston assembly were found. Review of the engine logbook revealed that the engine had accumulated a total time of 1285 hours since it was last overhauled on July 14, 1994. Entries in the engine logbook indicated that the top parting surface of the crankcase was resealed on February 7, 1997, November 20, 1998, and March 17, 1999. The last noted entry for tightening the crankcase bolts was on June 19, 1998. The number 2 and number 3 cylinder were last removed and replaced on April 2, 1997, by an overhaul facility. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N177AR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N177AR-1999-06-08), registration cancelled 1999-06-08, S/N 177RG0192 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 177RG - Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 177RG0192 - Airframe hours: 4009 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Andrew Reaume - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 1999, 10 hours before - Departed: RDG, READING, PA - Destination: 26N, OCEAN CITY, NJ - Airport: N47, Pottstown Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,720 total, 1,420 in this make and model, 1,610 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 20° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PTW ## 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 19990327002699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990327002699A), Mar 27, 1999: Cessna 177RG, Pottstown, PA, Substantial damage. (.19) On March 27, 1999, about 2112 eastern standard time, a Cessna 177RG, N177AR, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Pottstown,… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.