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NTSB Report
March 15, 1988 · Cessna 172K · N78840
Butler, AL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 15, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Butler, AL
Aircraft
Cessna 172K
Tail Number
N78840
Operator
Mccords Aerial Patrol Systems
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL88LA115
THE PLT RPTD THAT HE OBSERVED THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE INDICATION DROP TO ZERO DURING A LOW-LEVEL PIPELINE PATROL FLIGHT. HE ATTEMPTED TO INCREASE ENGINE PWR AND INITIATE A CLIMB, BUT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. HE SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED ON THE PIPELINE RIGHT-OF-WAY, WHERE THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH ROUGH TERRAIN AND NOSED OVER. POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. SUBSEQUENT ENGINE TEST-RUNS REVEALED NORMAL OIL PRESSURE INDICATIONS, ON BOTH THE COCKPIT GAUGE AND AN EXTERNAL, DIRECT-READING GAUGE.
Full Narrative
THE PLT RPTD THAT HE OBSERVED THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE INDICATION DROP TO ZERO DURING A LOW-LEVEL PIPELINE PATROL FLIGHT. HE ATTEMPTED TO INCREASE ENGINE PWR AND INITIATE A CLIMB, BUT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. HE SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED ON THE PIPELINE RIGHT-OF-WAY, WHERE THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH ROUGH TERRAIN AND NOSED OVER. POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. SUBSEQUENT ENGINE TEST-RUNS REVEALED NORMAL OIL PRESSURE INDICATIONS, ON BOTH THE COCKPIT GAUGE AND AN EXTERNAL, DIRECT-READING GAUGE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:15 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172K
Tail NumberN78840
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMccords Aerial Patrol Systems
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind315° @ 9 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO