Cessna TU206 N150SC

Summary

On 3 July 2019 at about 20:35 local time, a Cessna TU206 registered N150SC, operated by Aerial Imaging Inc, was involved in an accident near Waikoloa Village, Hawaii, 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

3 July 2019 at 20:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Waikoloa Village, Hawaii, United States

Coordinates

19.9111, -155.8125

Aircraft

Cessna TU206

Registration

N150SC

Category

Airplane

Year built

1973

Engines

1

Operator

Aerial Imaging Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Honolulu → Waikoloa Village

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR19LA185

Nobody was injured.

The total loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 4 connecting rod crankshaft end and cap.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

After flying for about 3 hours conducting aerial survey work, the pilot noticed a low oil pressure indication in the cockpit. The pilot prepared for a landing at the destination airport. During the approach he heard a bang and the airplane started to shake. He pitched the airplane to maintain the best glide speed and noticed the engine had lost all oil pressure. The pilot prepared for a forced landing to a road, during which the right wing struck a road sign, and the airplane came to rest in a ditch. Examination of the engine revealed the No. 4 connecting rod crankshaft end and cap separated from the rod and the bolts were sheared. One of the nuts for the connecting rod cap bolts was split and both pieces were recovered. Signatures of high heat on the piston end of all the connecting rods was also noted. The high heat signatures were consistent with a lack of oil lubrication (and subsequent cooling during operation) for the connecting rods at the crankshaft. The lack of lubrication likely caused the failure of the No. 4 connecting rod crankshaft end and cap, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. The reason for the lack of lubrication could not be determined from available information.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.