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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

June 16, 1996 · Cessna 177RG · N2186Q

Lake Placid, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 16, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Lake Placid, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 177RG
Tail Number
N2186Q
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL96LA093

One hour into the flight, the pilot advised the air traffic controller of the separation of the number 2 cylinder from the engine and a subsequent engine fire. The pilot also requested radar vectors to the nearest airport. The flight was cleared to an airport 12 miles north. The pilot shut down the engine, and the fire went out. The pilot made a forced landing in a pasture short of the airport. On landing roll the airplane collided with two fences. The subsequent engine examination disclosed severe fretting on the crankcase parting surfaces at the number two bearing saddle and dowels. The surface fretting observed in this crankcase is typical of conditions associated with a loss of torque on mating surfaces. According to the operator, the engine was overhauled 291 flight hours before this flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

maintenance personnel's failure to properly torque the cylinder installation bolts.

Full Narrative

On June 16, 1996, at 1600 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177RG, N2186Q, collided with a fence a during landing roll after a forced landing 15 miles south of Lake Placid, FL. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and an instrument flight plan was activated. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot nor the passenger sustained any injuries. The flight departed Tamiami Airport Tamiami, Florida enroute to Tallahassee, Florida, at 1500 hours. According to the pilot, approximately ten minutes into the flight, he advised the Miami air traffic controller of an engine fire and requested vectors to the nearest airport. The pilot was cleared to Placid Lakes airport 12 miles north of his position. The pilot shut down the engine, and the fire went out. The pilot made a forced landing in a pasture short of the airport. On landing roll the airplane collided with two fences. The examination of the engine revealed that the number two cylinder separated from the assembly. The subsequent engine examination disclosed severe fretting on the crankcase parting surfaces at the number two bearing saddle and dowels. The surface fretting observed in this case is typical of conditions associated with a loss of torque on mating surfaces. According to the operator, the engine was overhauled 291 flight hours before this flight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 177RG
Tail NumberN2186Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 15000 ft
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data