Pilot Debrief

CESSNA A185E near York, PA — 2022-10-22

Final reportERA23LA034
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Date
2022-10-22
Location
York, PA, USA
Airport
THV
Aircraft
CESSNA A185E
Registration
N36ZN
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

Oil starvation of the number 1 connecting rod bearings, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

The pilot had just purchased the airplane and was flying it to his home airport. He made a stop, added fuel, checked the oil, and continued to his home airport. About an hour after departure, he noticed a drop in oil pressure and then heard a clanking sound in the engine before it lost total power. He diverted to the nearest airport but landed short of the runway in a field. The airplane slid into the airport perimeter fence, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that it contained only 2 quarts of oil out of a total capacity of 12 quarts. There were oil leaks around all the cylinder pushrod housings, with the leak around the No. 1 cylinder being the worst. All spark plugs were dark, indicating oil burn. The No. 1 connecting rod was fractured and separated from the crankshaft, and the connecting rod bearings were destroyed. Heat distress signatures were found on the crankshaft connecting rod location and the No. 1 connecting rod bearings displayed significant scoring consistent with a lack of oil lubrication. Based on this information, it is likely the loss of engine power was the result of oil starvation to the connecting rod bearings.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked oil levels more thoroughly before departure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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