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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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January 8, 1987 · Cessna 120 · N72516

Salem, AR

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 8, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Salem, AR
Aircraft
Cessna 120
Tail Number
N72516
Operator
Michael L Froscher
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC87LA039

THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING FERRIED WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. THE ONLY AVAILABLE FIELD HAD CATTLE, HILLS AND TREES. ON LANDING ROLL THE PILOT HAD TO BRAKE HARD TO AVOID TREES. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER TO THE INVERTED POSITION. INSPECTION REVEALED TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE WITH A LARGE HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE CRANKCASE. DISASSEMBLY OF THE ENG REVEALED A BROKEN CONNECTING ROD.

Full Narrative

THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING FERRIED WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. THE ONLY AVAILABLE FIELD HAD CATTLE, HILLS AND TREES. ON LANDING ROLL THE PILOT HAD TO BRAKE HARD TO AVOID TREES. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER TO THE INVERTED POSITION. INSPECTION REVEALED TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE WITH A LARGE HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE CRANKCASE. DISASSEMBLY OF THE ENG REVEALED A BROKEN CONNECTING ROD.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 CST
Nearest Airport5nm WNW
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 120
Tail NumberN72516
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMichael L Froscher
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-12 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data