Cessna 177B N35138

Summary

On 15 March 1995 at about 20:45 local time, a Cessna 177B registered N35138 was involved in an accident near Collegedale, Tennessee, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 March 1995 at 20:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Collegedale, Tennessee, United States

Nearest airport

Collegedale Municipal (3M3)

Coordinates

35.0502, -85.0492

Aircraft

Cessna 177B

Registration

N35138

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

McDonald → Lafayette

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL95LA061

1 person was seriously injured.

THE MECHANIC'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW APPROVED ENGINE OVERHAUL PROCEDURES WHICH RESULTED IN THE SEPARATION OF THE OIL RETURN LINE, AND THE COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

ABOUT FOUR MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE ENGINE WAS REMOVED FROM THE AIRPLANE, AND OVERHAULED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE ENGINE WAS INSTALLED THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. DURING THE ENGINE INSTALLATION THE MECHANIC FAILED TO INSTALL NEW PARTS AS DIRECTED BY A MANDATORY SERVICE BULLETIN. AFTER A BRIEF PERIOD OF GROUND OPERATION, THE PILOT DEPARTED FOR A TEST FLIGHT. APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT THE ENGINE LOST OIL PRESSURE, AND SUBSEQUENTLY RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT ESTABLISHED AN EMERGENCY DESCENT FOR A FORCED LANDING AT COLLEGEDALE AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH RISING TERRAIN 50 FEET SHORT OF RUNWAY 03. A FILM OF ENGINE OIL WAS DISCOVERED OVER THE AIRCRAFT SKIN AFT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION ALSO DISCLOSED THAT THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE SEPARATED AT THE METAL FITTING. ACCORDING TO THE INSTALLATION MECHANIC, THE OWNER DECIDED NOT TO INSTALL NEW HOSES AS PRESCRIBED BY A MANDATORY SERVICE BULLETIN.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.