Cessna 172G N4143L

Summary

On 6 September 1993 at about 21:24 local time, a Cessna 172G registered N4143L, operated by Rick Lucia Aviation, was involved in an accident near Avalon, California, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 September 1993 at 21:24

Classification

Accident

Location

Avalon, California, United States

Coordinates

33.3802, -118.4510

Aircraft

Cessna 172G

Registration

N4143L

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Rick Lucia Aviation

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ramona → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX93LA345

Nobody was injured.

the oil starvation related failure of the number 1 and 2 connecting rods due to improper torque of the crankcase through bolts at the number 2 cylinder, which allowed fretting of the bearing surfaces and the resulting closure of the oil ports. The under torque condition was due to improper installation procedures used by the aircraft owner, and, the inadequate inspection procedures utilized by the certifying repair station.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The aircraft was in cruise flight about 10 miles from the island when a puff of smoke emanated from the engine cowling and the engine began to run rough. The pilot stated the aircraft could not maintain altitude and he ditched in the ocean about 100 yards off shore. The engine was disassembled and the numbers one and two connecting rods were found fractured, with heat discoloration observed on the number two bearing. Heavy fretting was found on the number two bearing surface and the associated crankcase bearing journal support. The numbers three and four cam shaft journals were observed to be visibly out of round, with heavy wear noted. Examination of the engine log book and the maintenance records from the operator revealed that the cylinder base seal for the number two cylinder was replaced on May 25, 1993, about 55 hours prior to the accident. According to the records the number two cylinder base seal 'O' ring was replaced by the aircraft owner and the work signed off by an FAA Repair Station inspector.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.