Cessna 172R N93AF

Summary

On 21 August 2005 at about 14:30 local time, a Cessna 172R registered N93AF was involved in an accident near Springtown, Texas, 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

21 August 2005 at 14:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Springtown, Texas, United States

Coordinates

32.9839, -97.6169

Aircraft

Cessna 172R

Registration

N93AF

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fort Worth → Levelland

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DFW05CA219

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper decision to shut down the engine. Contributing factors were the failure of the oil pressure switch and the lack of a suitable landing area.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While in cruise flight at an altitude of 6,500 feet, the 404-hour private pilot noticed a "mist" forming on the windscreen. He decided to return to the airport from which he had departed and began a descent. During the descent the oil pressure light illuminated and the pilot observed that the "oil temperature was very high." The pilot then elected to shut down the engine. Realizing that he could not reach the airport, he proceeded to search for a suitable landing field. After attempting to declare an emergency, he selected a landing field and turned towards it. Observing power lines in his path, the pilot restarted the engine in an attempt to avoid contacting them. The airplane's "engine responded with very little effect," but the pilot was able to clear the power lines and landed in a field. During landing, the nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest in an inverted position. An examination of the engine revealed that the engine oil pressure switch, (P/N 83278), had failed internally which allowed engine oil to vent overboard. No other pre-impact anomalies were noted with the engine. At the time of recovery the engine oil sump contained approximately six quarts of engine oil. The Cessna 172R Skyhawk Information Manual dated December 2, 1996, page 3-20 stated: "If a total loss of oil pressure is accompanied by a rise in oil temperature, there is good reason to suspect an engine failure is imminent. Reduce engine power immediately and select a suitable forced landing field. Use only the minimum power required to reach the desired touchdown spot."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.