Cessna 152 N6420M

Summary

On 25 February 2002 at about 14:00 local time, a Cessna 152 registered N6420M was involved in an accident near Hudson, Florida, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 February 2002 at 14:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Hudson, Florida, United States

Coordinates

28.4333, -82.7000

Aircraft

Cessna 152

Registration

N6420M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hudson → Crystal River

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL02LA052

Nobody was injured.

Total loss of engine power due to oil starvation to the No. 3 connecting rod preceded by aft displacement of the center main bearing due to excessive wear. This resulted in a forced landing to none suitable terrain and subsequent on-ground collision with a road sign. Factor to the accident was the company operator management decision to exceed the manufactures recommended time before overhaul

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was in cruise flight at 2,300 feet looking at a map when he heard a noise and the sound of the engine changed. He looked out, noticed the slow movement of the propeller blades and observed the tachometer dropping to zero. He declared an emergency on guard frequency and initiated a forced landing. He observed a golf course and headed towards it. On approach he determined that the golfer's would be in the way so he transitioned the forced landing towards a road. On landing rollout the left wing hit a sign. Examination of the engine assembly revealed the crankcase center web mating surface exhibited severe fretting. The crankshaft center main bearing was found displaced aft at the same location, and the bearing half's were partially rotated out of the normal position. The bearing's displaced position blocked the oil supply hole that furnishes lubrication oil to the No. 3 connecting rod and the No.3 connecting rod failed due to oil starvation. Review of aircraft logbooks revealed the engine had exceeded the manufactures recommended time before overhaul.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.