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October 26, 2001 · Cessna 152 · N67797

Bethany, OK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 26, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Bethany, OK
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N67797
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW02LA021

The private pilot reported that during a night cross-country flight, the engine began to lose power. The pilot could not maintain altitude to reach the airport, and therefore, elected to land in a field. The pilot landed the airplane in a field where it impacted a barbed wire fence. An FAA airworthiness inspector examined the engine with the assistance of an aircraft mechanic. The FAA inspector reported that they removed the #2 cylinder's rocker arm cover and noted that "the exhaust valve adjuster 'lock nut' had loosened and come completely off." Review of a maintenance record entry dated May 21, 2000, revealed that the #2 cylinder had been removed, repaired, and reinstalled at an aircraft total time of 825.0 hours. On August 13, 2001, the airplane and engine underwent their most recent 100-hour inspection at an aircraft and engine total time of 1,077.0 hours. The aircraft total time at the time of the accident is unknown. According to the engine operator's manual, persons installing pushrods for a cylinder are instructed to recheck the tappet clearance after run-in and lock the valve clearance adjusting screw in place with the locknut.

NTSB Probable Cause

the mechanic's failure to properly lock the exhaust valve's clearance adjusting screw locknut, which resulted in a loose nut, disabling of the exhaust valve pushrod, and a partial loss of engine power while in cruise flight. A contributing factor was the night light conditions for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On October 25, 2001, at 1940 central daylight time, a Cessna 152 single-engine airplane, N67797, was substantially damaged when it impacted a fence during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while in cruise flight near Bethany, Oklahoma. The airplane was registered to and operated by Airone Inc., of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 solo instructional flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Wiley Post Airport, Bethany, Oklahoma, at 1800, flew to Duncan, Oklahoma, and was returning to the Wiley Post Airport when the accident occurred. According to the operator, the pilot reported that the engine began to rumble and lose power. The pilot could not maintain altitude to reach the airport, and therefore, elected to land in a field. The pilot landed the airplane in a field where it impacted a barbed wire fence. The pilot reported that he could not see the fence since it was dark. According to the operator, the airplane sustained structural damage to the horizontal stabilizer, and the right elevator was torn from its hinges. An FAA airworthiness inspector examined the Lycoming O-235-L2C engine with the assistance of an aircraft mechanic. According to the operator, the #2 cylinder's push rod housing was bent. The FAA inspector reported that they removed the #2 cylinder's rocker arm cover and noted that "the exhaust valve adjuster 'lock nut' had loosened and come completely off." Review of a maintenance record entry dated May 21, 2000, revealed that the #2 cylinder had been removed, repaired, and reinstalled at an aircraft total time of 825.0 hours. On August 13, 2001, the airplane and engine underwent their most recent 100-hour inspection at an aircraft and engine total time of 1,077.0 hours. The aircraft total time at the time of the accident is unknown. According to the Lycoming Operator's Manual, persons installing pushrods for a cylinder are instructed to "be sure that the piston is at top center compression stroke and that both valves are closed. Assemble adjusting screw in valve rockers and using clearance gage adjust the clearance between the valve tip and valve rocker. Adjust in the following manner: Set tappets with .007 in. - .009 in. clearance cold. Recheck tappet clearance after run-in, clearance should be from .006 in. to .012 in. After adjusting, lock the adjusting screw in place with the locknut." Numerous attempts to contact the owner/operator and obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report were unsuccessful.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:40 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN67797
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
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 18 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 19 C
Altimeter30.36 inHg
Observation Time00:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data