Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 175 near Wartburg, TN — 2016-04-14

Final reportERA16LA157
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Date
2016-04-14
Location
Wartburg, TN, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 175
Registration
N6792E
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

Catastrophic engine failure due to a fatigue fracture of the No. 6 connecting rod cap.

NTSB narrative

During a cross-country flight, the student pilot noticed the engine sputter and the engine rpm drop to 1,000. He pushed the mixture to its full rich position and pumped the throttle with no response from the engine. He then attempted to restart the engine to no avail and subsequently performed a forced landing on a highway. During the landing, the airplane impacted a tree, resulting in substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 6 connecting rod cap was fractured from fatigue that originated at the oil transfer hole in the center of the rod cap.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have diverted to nearest airport after engine began to sputter.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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