Cessna 182P N21415

Summary

On 5 October 2010 at about 19:45 local time, a Cessna 182P registered N21415, operated by Westmoreland Patterson Moseley & Hinson LLP, was involved in an accident near Columbia, South Carolina, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 October 2010 at 19:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Columbia, South Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Columbia Metropolitan (CAE)

Coordinates

33.9261, -81.1222

Aircraft

Cessna 182P

Registration

N21415

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Westmoreland Patterson Moseley & Hinson LLP

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Columbia → Macon

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA11LA009

1 person had minor injuries.

A total loss of engine power due to a loss of lubrication after the engine experienced a piston ring failure for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Shortly after takeoff, the pilot observed that the engine oil pressure was low and noted smoke in the cockpit. The engine subsequently lost all power and, in response, the pilot initiated a forced landing to a highway. During the landing, the airplane's right wing struck a pole and the lower forward portion of the fuselage sustained substantial damage. Examination of the engine revealed that it seized due to a loss of lubrication after the oil suction screen became clogged with debris, which included fractured portions of piston skirts and piston rings. The No. 5 cylinder oil control ring was fractured in multiple locations. Some fragments were burnished, consistent with operation for a significant time period while remaining in the piston ring slot. The burnishing obliterated the fractured face, making the determination of the fracture mode impossible. Thermal erosion of the No. 5 piston and the fracturing of the piston skirts occurred after the oil control ring failure and most likely occurred just prior to the engine failure. While it was possible that the ring was damaged at the time it was installed 266 hours before the accident, there was not enough information to reach that determination.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.