Pilot Debrief

Cessna A188B near Rockford, OH — 2018-07-12

Final reportCEN18IA273
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Date
2018-07-12
Location
Rockford, OH, USA
Aircraft
Cessna A188B
Registration
N2483J
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power, which resulted from the separation of the No. 2 connecting rod due to oil starvation as a result of insufficient clamping force of the engine's through-bolts.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot of the aerial application flight reported that the airplane was at 350 ft above ground level when the engine started running roughly and then lost total power. He executed a forced landing to a field, which resulted in minor damage to the right wing. A review of the engine maintenance logbooks indicated that the accident occurred 107.6 hours after all six cylinders were replaced. The engine teardown examination revealed a large hole in the crankcase near the No. 2 cylinder. The crankcase bearing supports exhibited signs consistent with bearing shift. The No. 2 and No. 3 lock tabs exhibited elongation, and all bearing support mating surfaces exhibited varying amounts of fretting, with the No. 2 and No. 3 surfaces displaying the most fretting. The No. 3 bearing had shifted a significant amount, and part of the bearing was separated. The No. 2 connecting rod bearings exhibited a significant amount of thermal damage consistent with heat distress. The No. 2 connecting rod was separated from its journal and exhibited damage consistent with lubrication distress. The No. 2 piston was separated from the connecting rod and remained in the cylinder. It is likely that, when all six cylinders were replaced, the engine's through-bolts did not have sufficient clamping force, which resulted in movement of the crankcase halves as evidenced by the fretting on the crankcase bearing supports. This led to the crankcase main bearings shifting, which resulted in oil starvation to the No. 2 connecting rod journal, failure of the No. 2 connecting rod, and the subsequent total loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Perform thorough preflight engine checks to identify potential issues.

NTSB coding

  • Loss of engine power (total) · Maneuvering-low-alt flying

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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