Cessna 152 N5295B

Summary

On 21 December 2006 at about 17:55 local time, a Cessna 152 registered N5295B, operated by Tailwind flight Centre, LLC, was involved in an accident near Chandler, Arizona, United States. 2 people were 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 December 2006 at 17:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Chandler, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

33.2395, -111.7802

Aircraft

Cessna 152

Registration

N5295B

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Tailwind flight Centre, LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Chandler → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX07LA058

Nobody was injured.

a loss of engine power due to oil starvation to the number 3 cylinder crankpin and connecting rod bearing. The underlying cause of the oil starvation to the number 3 cylinder components could not be ascertained.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while in cruise flight the airplane began to vibrate, which was followed by a loud "bang," and then a complete loss of engine power. He attempted to restart the engine, trimmed the airplane to attain best glide speed, and looked for a place to make an emergency landing. The touchdown was normal; however, on the landing rollout the nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest inverted. An inspection of the engine revealed that the number 3 cylinder connecting rod had broken at the crankshaft journal. Cracks in multiple locations were observed on the right side engine case. Various pieces from the engine were located in the oil sump, oil pump housing, and oil filter element. The number 3 connecting rod, piston, and cylinder were thermally discolored (black coloration). Complete teardown of the engine revealed that the crankshaft at the number 3 journal area exhibited signs of thermal discoloration and distortion. The other connecting rods and main bearings showed signs of adequate lubrication. There were no oil system related discrepancies noted. A review of the engine logbooks revealed normal routine maintenance, which included 50-hour oil changes and servicing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.