SEA94LA151

While in cruise the aircraft's engine ceased developing power and the pilot executed a forced landing to an alfalfa field. During the landing roll the aircraft impacted a fence and then crossed over a roadway during which the nose landing gear collapsed and the aircraft nosed over. Metallurgical examination of the portions of the no. 1 connecting rod from the engine revealed high cycle fatigue of one of the rod cap bolts.

On June 19, 1994, approximately 0700 hours mountain daylight time (MDT), a Cessna 182Q, N735QB, registered to and being flown by Edward G. Johnson, a certificated private pilot, was substantially damaged when the aircraft collided with a fence and roadway during a forced landing following a power loss near Indian Valley, Idaho. The pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal in nature, was to have been operated in accordance with the 14CFR91 and originated from McCall, Idaho, approximately 0630.

The pilot reported that while in cruise a substantial engine vibration developed. He secured the engine and executed a forced landing to an agricultural field. During the landing roll in an alfalfa field the aircraft impacted a fence and the nose gear separated as the aircraft rolled across a roadway. Following the separation of the nose gear the aircraft nosed over.

Metallurgical examination of portions of the No. 1 cylinder connecting rod assembly from the aircraft's engine revealed numerous separations. One of the rod cap bolts' fracture surfaces was described as being "flat and smooth and contained faint crescent-shaped marks consistent with fatigue cracking" (refer to Metallurgist's Factual Report No. 95-15 attached).

Those portions of the No. 1 cylinder connecting rod assembly which were retained were returned to Mr. Mike Cornia, Idaho Intermountain Claims, Boise, Idaho, via certified mail on November 28, 1994.