Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 182L near Louisville, KY — 2008-05-07

Final reportMIA08LA097
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Date
2008-05-07
Location
Louisville, KY, USA
Airport
LOU
Aircraft
CESSNA 182L
Registration
N42116
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

A total fatigue failure of the No. 5 piston during climb.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he departed the airport with the intention of completing a cross-country flight. About 10 miles from the airport, the engine started running rough, and he immediately turned back to the airport. While on short final approach, the engine stopped and the pilot executed a forced landing to a residential area. Examination of the engine revealed that the No. 5 piston (part No. 626992) failed due to a fatigue fracture. Dark deposits on the fracture indicated that the crack existed prior to the event, and the origin area was obliterated by postfracture damage. Review of service difficulty reports (SDR) for an approximate 10-year period, revealed that given the low incidence of cracking in part No. 626992 pistons, it is likely that the cracking was a result of an operational condition, and not a result of a defect in a batch of pistons.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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