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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 19, 1994 · Cessna 172XP · N9797V

Clarksburg, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 19, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Clarksburg, TN
Aircraft
Cessna 172XP
Tail Number
N9797V
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL94LA158

WHILE EN ROUTE TO HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT SELECTED A PASTURE AND MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING. DURING THE ROLLOUT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES ALONG A FENCE LINE. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DISCLOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR DRIVE COUPLING FAILED, AND DEBRIS FROM THE COUPLING LODGED IN THE ENGINE OIL PUMP DRIVE; THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE OIL PRESSURE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF THE ALTERNATOR DRIVE COUPLING, AND DEBRIS FROM THE FAILED COUPLING THAT LODGED IN THE ENGINE OIL PUMP, RESULTING IN A SHEARED OIL PUMP DRIVE SHAFT. THE ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED BECAUSE OF OIL STARVATION.

Full Narrative

On August 19, 1994, at 1740 central daylight time, a Cessna, N9797V, collided with trees while attempting an emergency landing in a pasture near Clarksburg, Tennessee. The business flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with a visual flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aircraft received substantial damage, the pilot was not injured. The flight departed Nashville, Tennessee, at 1640 hours. According to the pilot, while flying at 2500 feet enroute to his destination airport, the engine sputtered twice and lost power. After the second occurrence, the pilot selected a pasture for an emergency landing. During the landing rollout, the airplane collided with a fence and trees. The engine examination revealed that the engine sustained oil starvation damage. Steel and rubber debris from internal engine components were recovered from the engine oil sump. The examination also revealed that the alternator drive gear had sheared and was lodged in the accessary pad opening; the engine oil pump drive shaft had also sheared (see attached inspector's statement).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:40 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172XP
Tail NumberN9797V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-360-K · Reciprocating · 195
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 5 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data