Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 177 near Fort Wayne, IN — 2018-05-15

Final reportCEN18LA174
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Date
2018-05-15
Location
Fort Wayne, IN, USA
Airport
SMD
Aircraft
CESSNA 177
Registration
N9058F
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The failure of the oil cooler due to a defect in the brazed joint, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to oil starvation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he had departed on a local flight and leveled the airplane at 2,600 ft mean sea level when he observed a drop in engine rpm and heard a "thumping" sound from the engine. The pilot reversed course to return to the airport; the noise increased, he smelled burning oil, and the engine subsequently quit. The pilot conducted a forced landing to a field, during which the nose landing gear collapsed and the wings sustained substantial damage. An examination of the airplane revealed no oil on the engine dipstick; however, oil was coming out of the oil cooler, and oil was visible on the right side of the cowling. Maintenance records indicated that the engine, including the oil cooler, was new and had been installed about 8 hours before the accident flight. An examination of the oil cooler revealed that the leak came from between the plates forming the oil circuit; it was likely due to a defect in the brazed joint between the plates. The engine lost power due to oil starvation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff upon noticing engine issues.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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