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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

September 17, 1990 · Cessna 172RG · N6411V

Ozark, AL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 17, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Ozark, AL
Aircraft
Cessna 172RG
Tail Number
N6411V
Operator
Alabama Aviation & Tech Coll
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL90LA172

THE INSTRUCTOR REPORTED THAT AFTER LEVELING AT CRUISE ALTITUDE A BURNING ODOR WAS DETECTED. A FORCED LANDING TO A HAYFIELD WAS BEGUN. DURING THE DESCENT OIL COVERED THE WINDSCREEN & THE ENGINE SEIZED. WHILE ON LANDING ROLL THE NOSE LANDING GEAR SHEARED. SUBSEQUENT EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT A PLUG WHICH HAD BEEN INSERTED IN ONE OF THE VACANT ENGINE COMPONENT DRIVE GEAR OPENINGS HAD NOT BEEN SAFETY WIRED. THE PLUG WAS FOUND IN THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE COWLING. THE ENGINE OIL HAD DRAINED OUT OF THE DRIVE OPENING WHEN THE PLUG FELL OUT WHICH RESULTED IN SEIZURE OF THE ENGINE.

NTSB Probable Cause

INADEQUATE ENGINE OVERHAUL PROCEDURES WHICH ALLOWED THE INSTALLATION OF THE ENGINE PLUG WITHOUT SAFETY WIRE TO HOLD IT IN PLACE, AND WHICH RESULTED IN OIL STARVATION OF THE ENGINE.

Full Narrative

THE INSTRUCTOR REPORTED THAT AFTER LEVELING AT CRUISE ALTITUDE A BURNING ODOR WAS DETECTED. A FORCED LANDING TO A HAYFIELD WAS BEGUN. DURING THE DESCENT OIL COVERED THE WINDSCREEN & THE ENGINE SEIZED. WHILE ON LANDING ROLL THE NOSE LANDING GEAR SHEARED. SUBSEQUENT EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT A PLUG WHICH HAD BEEN INSERTED IN ONE OF THE VACANT ENGINE COMPONENT DRIVE GEAR OPENINGS HAD NOT BEEN SAFETY WIRED. THE PLUG WAS FOUND IN THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE COWLING. THE ENGINE OIL HAD DRAINED OUT OF THE DRIVE OPENING WHEN THE PLUG FELL OUT WHICH RESULTED IN SEIZURE OF THE ENGINE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172RG
Tail NumberN6411V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAlabama Aviation & Tech Coll
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360F1A6 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 32 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind45° @ 5 kt, gusting 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data