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NTSB Report
August 20, 1986 · Cessna 182N · N92252
Wilmington, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 20, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Wilmington, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 182N
Tail Number
N92252
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX86FA326
DURING A LOCAL NIGHT INSTRUCTIONAL FLT THE PLTS REPORTED THAT THE ENG BEGAN TO RUN VERY ROUGH AND EVENTUALLY QUIT WHEN POWER WAS REDUCED SLIGHTLY TO BEGIN THE DESCENT FOR THE DESTINATION ARPT. THE ACFT STRUCK POWER LINES, TWO SMALL BUILDINGS AND A BRICK WALL DURING THE NIGHT FORCED LANDING IN AN INDUSTRIAL AREA. EXAMINATION OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE ROCKER ARM SHAFT BOSS JOURNAL HAD FAILED. TESTS OF AN IDENTICAL ENG DUPLICATING THE BOSS JOURNAL FAILURE IN A TEST CELL REPLICATED THE ENG POWER LOSS AS DESCRIBED BY THE CREW. THE CYLINDER HAD BEEN CHANGED 27 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE ROCKER ARM SHAFT KEEPER BOLT HAD BEEN OVER TORQUED DURING THE OVERHAUL.
Full Narrative
DURING A LOCAL NIGHT INSTRUCTIONAL FLT THE PLTS REPORTED THAT THE ENG BEGAN TO RUN VERY ROUGH AND EVENTUALLY QUIT WHEN POWER WAS REDUCED SLIGHTLY TO BEGIN THE DESCENT FOR THE DESTINATION ARPT. THE ACFT STRUCK POWER LINES, TWO SMALL BUILDINGS AND A BRICK WALL DURING THE NIGHT FORCED LANDING IN AN INDUSTRIAL AREA. EXAMINATION OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE ROCKER ARM SHAFT BOSS JOURNAL HAD FAILED. TESTS OF AN IDENTICAL ENG DUPLICATING THE BOSS JOURNAL FAILURE IN A TEST CELL REPLICATED THE ENG POWER LOSS AS DESCRIBED BY THE CREW. THE CYLINDER HAD BEEN CHANGED 27 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE ROCKER ARM SHAFT KEEPER BOLT HAD BEEN OVER TORQUED DURING THE OVERHAUL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:51 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 182N
Tail NumberN92252
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-R · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind340° @ 6 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 12000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time04:53
Weather SourceWFAC