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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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December 22, 1982 · Cessna 172N · N609CW

Clanton, AL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 22, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Clanton, AL
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N609CW
Operator
Clanton Flying Service
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL83FKJ01

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED IN A HIGH SPEED GLIDE TO TOUCH DOWN BRIEFLY IN A PASTURE AT THE TOP OF A KNOLL. IT THEN DROPPED BELOW THE RISE & CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA ADJACENT TO THE PASTURE. EXAMINATION OF THE ENG SHOWED A CRACK EXTENDING FROM THE TOP FORWARD HOLD-DOWN BOLT ON THE RIGHT FRONT CYLINDER THROUGH THE PUSH ROD OPENING TO THE TOP OF THE CRANKCASE. THE TOP FORWARD HOLD-DOWN BOLT WAS SHEARED OFF & CAME LOOSE WHEN TOUCHED. THERE WAS ALSO A CRACK ON THE LEFT SIDE EXTENDING FROM APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH AFT OF THE FRONT CYLINDER HOLD-DOWN BOLT UPWARD BETWEEN THE PUSH ROD HOUSINGS TO THE TOP OF THE CRANKCASE. TEAR DOWN OF THE ENG REVEALED THE OIL PUMP DRIVE GEAR FAILED.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED IN A HIGH SPEED GLIDE TO TOUCH DOWN BRIEFLY IN A PASTURE AT THE TOP OF A KNOLL. IT THEN DROPPED BELOW THE RISE & CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA ADJACENT TO THE PASTURE. EXAMINATION OF THE ENG SHOWED A CRACK EXTENDING FROM THE TOP FORWARD HOLD-DOWN BOLT ON THE RIGHT FRONT CYLINDER THROUGH THE PUSH ROD OPENING TO THE TOP OF THE CRANKCASE. THE TOP FORWARD HOLD-DOWN BOLT WAS SHEARED OFF & CAME LOOSE WHEN TOUCHED. THERE WAS ALSO A CRACK ON THE LEFT SIDE EXTENDING FROM APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH AFT OF THE FRONT CYLINDER HOLD-DOWN BOLT UPWARD BETWEEN THE PUSH ROD HOUSINGS TO THE TOP OF THE CRANKCASE. TEAR DOWN OF THE ENG REVEALED THE OIL PUMP DRIVE GEAR FAILED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN609CW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorClanton Flying Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 28 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 5 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point14 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

External Links

Appendix: Source Data