Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 182P near Prospect, TN — 2023-09-14

Final reportERA23LA372
Sign in to save
Date
2023-09-14
Location
Prospect, TN, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 182P
Registration
N8443M
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the No. 6 cylinder exhaust valve rocker boss.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was performing a cross-country flight whenthere was a “sudden severe engine vibration and loss of power.” He reduced the throttle in an attempt to lessen the engine vibration and elected to land the airplane in a soybean field since he was unsure if he could clear a large, forested area between him and the next closest airport. After touchdown, the nose landing gear struck a ditch, separated, and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. An examination of the engine after the accident revealed the No. 6 cylinder exhaust valve rocker boss was fractured and loose inside the rocker cover. The boss was fractured in two places. Metallurgical examination revealed one of the fractured bosses failed from fatigue that initiated at multiple sites along the bore surface that had been in contact with the rocker arm. A review of the maintenance logbooks revealed that the engine cylinders were removed, overhauled, and reinstalled about 3 years and 4 months before the accident, and the airplane had accrued about 154 hours total time since the cylinders were overhauled.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to land at a closer airport before engine issues arose.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

Related mishaps