Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 182 near ARECIBO, PR — 2018-06-10

Final reportERA18LA165
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Date
2018-06-10
Location
ARECIBO, PR, USA
Airport
ABO
Aircraft
CESSNA 182
Registration
N3889D
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

Maintenance personnel's failure to properly apply torque to the engine through bolts, which ultimately resulted in the crankshaft failure and the total loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff on the skydiving flight, the airplane's engine made a "clicking" sound and lost power. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to a field, during which the airplane flipped over and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, right wing, and tail. Examination of the engine revealed the crankcase web mating surfaces at the Nos. 2, 3, and 4 bearing saddles exhibited pitting consistent with fretting, which was indicative of improper preloading (torque) of the through bolts. Additionally, the No. 2 main bearing was displaced from its saddle and severely worn, and the crankshaft fractured due to fatigue. A review of maintenance records revealed the engine's camshaft and lifters were replaced about 280 hours before the accident; this was the last documented time during which the applicable through bolts and associated nuts would have been assembled. Given this information, it is likely that maintenance personnel failed to properly apply torque to these through bolts during this maintenance, which ultimately resulted in the crankshaft failure and the subsequent loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Engine maintenance and overhaul not performed within recommended time limits.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents9

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