# NTSB WPR10LA118: Cessna 182C, N8948T, Reno, NV, January 23, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 23, 2010, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 39.854442, -119.236389 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8544&lon=-119.2364&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 22, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 75302 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10LA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75302/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75302 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA118 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power during cruise due to oil starvation as a result of foreign material blockage of the oil pickup tube. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Fluids: oil](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during cruise flight, he felt a “significant shake” in the airplane and noticed that the engine was losing power. He initiated a precautionary landing to a nearby road. During the descent, the engine failed completely, and despite the pilot’s attempts to restart, the propeller would not rotate. Subsequently, the pilot landed on an unoccupied road. During the landing roll the airplane encountered a ditch and nosed over, which resulted in structural damage to the fuselage, vertical stabilizer, rudder and both wings. Examination of the engine revealed that the number one and two connecting rods separated from the engine crankshaft and exhibited thermal and mechanical damage, consistent with oil starvation. The forward, intermediate, and rear main bearings exhibited signatures consistent with oil starvation. Fragments of the connecting rod bearings were located within the oil sump along with portions of what appeared to be paper towel material. The oil pickup tube was intact and undamaged. The paper-towel-like material was also observed around the oil pickup tube screen and inlet port which restricted the oil flow within the engine. No additional anomalies were noted with the engine. The pilot reported that the engine had accumulated a total time in service of 3,039 hours, with 993 since last overhaul. ## Factual narrative On January 23, 2010, about 1500 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 182C airplane, N8948T, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Reno, Nevada. The airplane was registered to Alpine Aviation Partners LLC of Reno, and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The local flight originated from the Reno-Stead Airport (4SD), about 1415. In a written statement, the pilot reported that during cruise flight, the airplane experienced a “significant shake” similar to a “small strike.” The pilot verified his instruments, noticed the “manifold pressure jumping,” and noted that it felt like the engine was losing power. The pilot applied carburetor heat, checked the fuel selector handle, and reduced the engine power and initiated a precautionary landing to a road. The pilot stated that during the descent and on a base leg to his selected landing area, the “engine failed completely.” Despite his attempts, the engine would not restart and the propeller would not move. Subsequently, the pilot landed on an unoccupied road. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a ditch and nosed over. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed that oil was visible on both sides of the fuselage and wing flaps. The top portion of the vertical stabilizer and rudder were bent and buckled. Buckling in the fuselage was observed just forward of the empennage. The Continental O-470-L engine, serial number 82178-4-L, was examined at the facilities of Teledyne Continental Motors under the supervision of the Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC). Examination of the engine revealed that the number one connecting rod exhibited extreme thermal and mechanical damage and was fractured through at the base of the I-beam. Fragments of the number one connecting rod cap exhibited thermal and mechanical damage. The number two connecting rod exhibited extreme thermal and mechanical damage and the bearing supports were distorted. The number two connecting rod cap exhibited thermal and mechanical damage and was deformed. The oil sump exhibited impact damage. About five quarts of oil was drained from the oil sump. The oil was dark in color and contained portions of what appeared to be a paper towel and fragments of damaged internal engine components. The oil pickup tube was intact and undamaged. The oil pickup tube was restricted with a paper-towel-like material. The crankcase exhibited exterior damage concentrated above the number two cylinder bay. The number one and two cylinder bays exhibited mechanical damage at the centerline of the cylinder bore that displaced the intake lifter bore material from the crankcase casting. The remaining cylinder bays were intact and undamaged. The main bearing support mating surfaces were intact and exhibited no signs of fretting or bearingtang lock-slot elongation. The main bearing support diameters were intact and exhibited no signs of bearing movement or rotation. The oil galleys and passages in the left and right crankcase halves were intact, clear and unrestricted. The rear crankshaft main bearing exhibited lubrication distress and thermal smearing of the surface babbit. The number two intermediate crankshaft main bearings exhibited lubrication distress and thermal smearing of the surface babbit, exposing the copper layer. The number three intermediate crankshaft main bearings exhibited contamination imbedded in the surface layer. The front crankshaft main bearings exhibited contamination imbedded in the surface layer. The pilot reported that the engine had accumulated a total time in service of 3,039 hours, with 993 since last overhaul. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8948T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8948T-2018-01-17), registration cancelled 2018-01-17, S/N 52848, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182C - Registry model: [Cessna 182C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182c) (registry code 2072708) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 52848 - Airframe hours: 3753 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kiley Chandler - Registered owner: Alpine Aviation Partners LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 2009, 17 hours before - Departed: Reno, NV - Destination: Reno, NV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 129 total, 120 in this make and model, 96 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: RNO, 22 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 20100123034679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100123034679A), Jan 23, 2010: Cessna 182C, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. The pilot and passenger departed the Reno/tahoe stead (rts) airport for a local pleasure flight. The pilot stated that while about 15 miles north of rts, he… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 13, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75302. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329525&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Parties to the Investigation - Teledyne Continental Motors Engine Exam Report (item 2, .PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329528&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Parties%20to%20the%20Investigation%20-%20Teledyne%20Continental%20Motors%20Engine%20Exam%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 3, .PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329530&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 4, .PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329529&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF 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.