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NTSB Report
January 28, 1989 · Cessna 152 · N25420
Fire Island, NY
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 28, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Fire Island, NY
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N25420
Operator
Nassau Flyers
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC89LA075
THE AIRCRAFT WAS AT 2,000 FEET OVER FIRE ISLAND BEACH WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. DURING A LANDING ON A SANDY BEACH, THE GEAR SANK INTO THE SAND AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. A SEALANT USED ON THE OIL PRESSURE SCREEN HOUSING GASKET WAS FOUND IN THE MAIN BEARING OIL SUPPLY HOLES. THE NUMBER ONE CONNECTING ROD, BEARING, AND BOLT FAILED. METAL WAS FOUND IN THE OIL, SUCTION SCREEN, AND OIL PRESSURE SCREEN HOUSING. TEXTRON LYCOMING DOES NOT HAVE A PROCEDURE FOR THE USE OF A SEALANT ON ANY GASKETS DURING THE ASSEMBLY OF ENGINES. 100 HOUR AND ANNUAL INSPECTIONS WERE PERFORMED 1.7 HOURS PRIOR TO ENGINE FAILURE. SPECTROMETRIC OIL ANALYSIS WAS NORMAL AND THE OIL SCREEN WAS CLEANED DURING THE INSPECTIONS.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF AN UNAUTHORIZED SEALANT USED ON THE OIL RESSURE SCREEN HOUSING GASKET CONTAMINATED THE OIL AND RESTRICTED THE FLOW OF OIL THROUGH THE MAIN BEARINGS CAUSING OIL STARVATION AND CONNECTING ROD, BEARING, AND BOLT FAILURE.
Full Narrative
THE AIRCRAFT WAS AT 2,000 FEET OVER FIRE ISLAND BEACH WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. DURING A LANDING ON A SANDY BEACH, THE GEAR SANK INTO THE SAND AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. A SEALANT USED ON THE OIL PRESSURE SCREEN HOUSING GASKET WAS FOUND IN THE MAIN BEARING OIL SUPPLY HOLES. THE NUMBER ONE CONNECTING ROD, BEARING, AND BOLT FAILED. METAL WAS FOUND IN THE OIL, SUCTION SCREEN, AND OIL PRESSURE SCREEN HOUSING. TEXTRON LYCOMING DOES NOT HAVE A PROCEDURE FOR THE USE OF A SEALANT ON ANY GASKETS DURING THE ASSEMBLY OF ENGINES. 100 HOUR AND ANNUAL INSPECTIONS WERE PERFORMED 1.7 HOURS PRIOR TO ENGINE FAILURE. SPECTROMETRIC OIL ANALYSIS WAS NORMAL AND THE OIL SCREEN WAS CLEANED DURING THE INSPECTIONS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN25420
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorNassau Flyers
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind9 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO