Cessna 172S N5274Q

Summary

On 9 August 2017 at about 16:20 local time, a Cessna 172S registered N5274Q, operated by Kcsi Texas Inc, was involved in an accident near Wellston, Ohio, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

9 August 2017 at 16:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Wellston, Ohio, United States

Coordinates

39.1250, -82.5383

Aircraft

Cessna 172S

Registration

N5274Q

Category

Airplane

Year built

2002

Engines

1

Operator

Kcsi Texas Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Newark → Jackson

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN17LA311

2 people had minor injuries.

The failure of a connecting rod small end bushing, which resulted in a loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot and observer were conducting an aerial observation flight of a pipeline. The pilot reported that, while maneuvering at a low altitude toward an airport to refuel, he heard a "significant boom" and noticed a reduction in engine rpm. The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to regain engine power and then initiated a forced landing to a space between trees. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted rolling, uneven grass terrain and a barbed wire fence. Examination and disassembly of the engine revealed a large hole on the top of the engine crankcase inboard of the No. 4 cylinder. The examination revealed that the No. 4 connecting rod had failed due to the installation of a nonconforming small end connecting rod bushing. Five days before the accident, the engine manufacturer had issued a mandatory service bulletin indicating that the accident connecting rod bushing may not have met engine specifications and may require followup action. Six days after the accident, the Federal Aviation Administration issued an airworthiness directive that required inspecting the connecting rods, replacing affected connecting rod small end bushings, and accomplishing the instructions in the engine manufacturer's mandatory service bulletin.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.