Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 152 near Miami, FL — 2012-06-16

Final reportERA12LA405
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Date
2012-06-16
Location
Miami, FL, USA
Airport
TMB
Aircraft
CESSNA 152
Registration
N67324
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The pilots’ operation of the airplane with an insufficient supply of engine oil, resulting in engine seizure and total loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

The student and flight instructor reported that, during their preflight inspection, 4.5 quarts of oil was in the engine and the fuel tanks were full. Another quart of oil was added to the engine, and the flight departed. About 1 hour 40 minutes into the flight, the engine began to run rough. The engine subsequently stopped running and attempts to restart it were unsuccessful. The flight instructor force landed the airplane in a field, and it nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the wings. During the recovery of the wreckage, the fuel tanks were drained, and each tank contained about 1 quart of fuel. There was no oil or fuel on the ground under the wreckage. The oil dipstick showed no oil on the stick. About 1 1/3 quarts of oil were drained from the engine. According to the engine manufacturer, the minimum safe quantity of oil in the sump is 2 quarts. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of an oil leak anywhere on the engine or airframe. The engine showed evidence of seizure due to a lack of lubrication. The engine oil and filter were reportedly changed during a 100-hour inspection that occurred 3 days before the accident. Although the crewmembers reported that they departed with sufficient oil and fuel, the physical evidence does not support that assertion; the lack of lubrication led to the loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Proper oil maintenance could have prevented engine seizure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents21

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