Pilot Debrief

Cessna 172 near Fort Lauderdale, FL — 2018-12-24

Final reportERA19LA079
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Date
2018-12-24
Location
Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Registration
N3015E
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to the fatigue fracture of the No. 2 exhaust rocker arm stud.

NTSB narrative

According to the flight instructor, he and a student pilot were conducting a local, instructional flight. The instructor reported that, while flying about 800 ft above a shoreline, the engine started to vibrate, and it then lost all power. He tried to restart the engine twice to no avail. On the third attempt, the engine started, but it would not produce more than 1,200 rpm. The instructor saw people on the beach and decided to land on the water. When the main landing gear touched down on the water, the airplane immediately flipped over, which resulted in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. Examination of the engine revealed that the No. 2 exhaust rocker arm stud was fractured. Metallurgical examination of the fracture surfaces on the rocker arm stud revealed that it had fractured due to fatigue. The fatigue fracture of the No. 2 exhaust rocker arm stud likely led to the loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Inspection or replacement of the fractured rocker arm stud before the flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents9

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