Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 182 near Toone, TN — 2016-10-09

Final reportERA17LA019
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Date
2016-10-09
Location
Toone, TN, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 182
Registration
N65903
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A stuck No. 3 cylinder exhaust valve, which resulted in failure of the cylinder's valvetrain components, breach of the cylinder's rocker box cover, and partial loss of engine power due to oil starvation.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that, about 3 hours into a cross-country flight, an instrument panel warning sounded and the oil pressure indicator was in the red arc; however, the engine continued to run smoothly. The pilot began to look for airports or fields to divert to and notified air traffic control of the abnormal engine indication. A few minutes later, the pilot heard "clanging" noises from the engine and it subsequently lost partial power. The engine was not producing enough power for the airplane to fly to the destination airport, and the pilot performed a forced landing in a field. During the forced landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage. Examination of the engine revealed that the No. 3 cylinder exhaust valve had stuck in the closed position, which resulted in failure of the cylinder's valvetrain components, breach of the rocker box cover, and the engine's oil supply being exhausted through the breached rocker box cover. The resulting oil starvation subsequently resulted in a partial loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have diverted to an airport sooner after initial warning.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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