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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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February 8, 1987 · Cessna 152 · N24317

Tucson, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 8, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Tucson, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N24317
Operator
Tucson Flight Center
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA113

DURING A LOCAL DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT DEVELOPED A VIBRATION AND A SUBSTANTIAL POWER LOSS. THE ACFT WAS FORCED TO LAND OFF THE ARPT IN THE HIGH VEGETATION. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE #3 CYLINDER WAS NOT DEVELOPING COMPRESSION. THE PROPELLER WAS ROTATED AND THE PISTON WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE #3 CYLINDER ASSEMBLY AND PISTON WERE REMOVED AND FOUND THAT THE CONNECTING ROD BEARING WAS BADLY SCORED WITH NO APPARENT LUBRICATION VISIBLE. ONE CONNECTING ROD BOLT WAS FOUND SHEARED. A SAMPLE OF OIL WAS ANALYZED AND FOUND TO CONTAIN A SLIGHTLY HIGH CONTENT OF DIRT. A HIGH CONTENT OF ALUMINUM AND COPPER WERE ALSO NOTED.

Full Narrative

DURING A LOCAL DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT DEVELOPED A VIBRATION AND A SUBSTANTIAL POWER LOSS. THE ACFT WAS FORCED TO LAND OFF THE ARPT IN THE HIGH VEGETATION. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE #3 CYLINDER WAS NOT DEVELOPING COMPRESSION. THE PROPELLER WAS ROTATED AND THE PISTON WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE #3 CYLINDER ASSEMBLY AND PISTON WERE REMOVED AND FOUND THAT THE CONNECTING ROD BEARING WAS BADLY SCORED WITH NO APPARENT LUBRICATION VISIBLE. ONE CONNECTING ROD BOLT WAS FOUND SHEARED. A SAMPLE OF OIL WAS ANALYZED AND FOUND TO CONTAIN A SLIGHTLY HIGH CONTENT OF DIRT. A HIGH CONTENT OF ALUMINUM AND COPPER WERE ALSO NOTED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 MST
Nearest Airport10nm S
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN24317
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTucson Flight Center
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 14 kt, gusting 24 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 19 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:55
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data