Cessna 182 N378ES

Summary

On 21 May 2017 at about 17:55 local time, a Cessna 182 registered N378ES was involved in an accident near West Chester, Pennsylvania, 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 May 2017 at 17:55

Classification

Accident

Location

West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Brandywine (OQN)

Coordinates

39.9594, -75.6325

Aircraft

Cessna 182

Registration

N378ES

Category

Airplane

Year built

1997

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Trenton → Gaithersburg

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA17LA185

Nobody was injured.

An engine crankcase overpressurization and the subsequent loss of engine oil for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in the failure of the No. 6 cylinder connecting rod due to a lack of lubrication.  

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that, about 20 minutes into a cross-country, personal flight, he noticed a loss of oil pressure, Subsequently, he attempted to divert to a nearby airport. The pilot stated that, a few minutes later, the engine began to "shudder," making it difficult to control the airplane, and the oil temperature had increased, so he decided to shut down the engine. The pilot was unable to glide the airplane to the diversionary airport, so he conducted an off-airport landing at a nearby field, during which the airplane struck a utility pole, which resulted in the left wing separating from the airplane. Examination of the airframe revealed oil streaks along the fuselage belly aft of the engine breather tube. Metal fragments were found trapped in the oil suction screen. About 1/4 quart of oil was present in the sump. Examination of the engine revealed that the crankcase and oil sump were intact, and no indications of oil leaks from the crankcase were found. Thumb compression and suction were established on all cylinders except for the No. 6 cylinder. The No. 6 connecting rod was separated from the crankshaft, and the connecting rod journal and rod end were discolored, smeared, and had gouges, consistent with thermal damage. Remnants of connecting rod bearing material were found loose inside the crankcase. A borescope examination of the remaining cylinders did not reveal any damage or unusual marks. Based on this evidence, it is likely that an engine crankcase overpressurization occurred, which resulted in the ejection of nearly all the engine oil through the breather tube; the reason for the overpressurization could not be determined. The engine likely began to shudder after the overpressurizaton as a result of the No. 6 cylinder connecting rod failing due to a lack of lubrication.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.