Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

February 24, 2021 · Cessna 182F · N3209U

Millville, IA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 24, 2021
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Millville, IA
Aircraft
Cessna 182F (1963)
Tail Number
N3209U
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN21LA138

The pilot stated that, during climb from the departure airport, the engine made a loud growling noise, lost power, and began producing smoke. The pilot then performed a forced landing on a road, during which the airplane nosed over and impacted terrain. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed a hole in the crankcase and a failure of two cylinders consistent with oil starvation. The majority of oil residue was located below and aft of the oil breather tube, which was to alleviate normal crankcase pressures. The crankcase nose seal exhibited an oil leak that would have also allowed ram air pressure to pressurize the crankcase above normal pressures and force engine oil out through the oil breather tube resulting in oil starvation/exhaustion. Oil leakage from the crankcase breather tube would have been progressive and not instantaneous. The oil leakage from the crankcase nose seal and breather tube should have been identified by those performing maintenance and/or preflight inspections of the airplane after seeing decreased oil levels, oil residue external to the engine, and seepage from the crankcase nose seal.

NTSB Probable Cause

The inadequate maintenance/inspection of the airplane, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to oil starvation.

Full Narrative

On February 24, 2021, about 1600 central standard time, a Cessna 182F, N3209U, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Millville, Iowa. The commercial pilot and a passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that, during a cruise climb from the departure airport, the engine made a “loud growling” noise and lost power. He turned the magnetos off when he saw smoke near the propeller and trimmed the airplane for a best glide airspeed. He said there was no suitable landing area in front of the airplane, but there was a road to the left of the airplane. During the approach to the road, he maneuvered the airplane below powerlines and avoided buildings before the airplane impacted the road and a snowbank. The airplane nosed over during the landing, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, right wing and right-wing strut. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed a hole in the engine crankcase located between the Nos. 2 and 5 cylinders. The No. 2 cylinder connecting rod was protruding through the hole and exhibited scoring consistent with oil starvation. The vacuum pump did not exhibit any mechanical anomalies and the inside of its vacuum tube did not contain oil. There was a relatively large amount oil on the underside of the top engine cowling. There was no oil on the interior or exterior side of the bottom engine cowling. There was no oil on the engine firewall. There was oil on the underside of the fuselage extending aft of the engine crankcase breather tube to the empennage. There was oil around the crankcase nose seal consistent with a leak. The inside of the crankcase breather tube, which alleviates normal crankcase pressure, was unobstructed and contained oil. The tube contained a whistle stop/vent located about three inches from the bottom of the tube, which was in accordance with its design. The oil breather tube whistle stop/hole was positioned aft and parallel to the airplane’s longitudinal axis. Examination of the breather tube showed dried and caked oil residue which were signs of progressive leakage. Similar signatures were observed at the crankcase nose seal. These would have been apparent during routine maintenance and/or a preflight inspection. Continental Service Bulletin (SB) M89-9, Excessive Crankcase Pressures, provides a troubleshooting test when excessive crankcase pressures are suspected. The SB notes: Excessive crankcase pressure in flight can be induced by ram air entering through an improper fitting oil cap seal and/or defective crankshaft nose seal. If the problem occurs on turbocharged engines only at higher altitudes, then it is possible that the turbocharger is suspect.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182F
Tail NumberN3209U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-R · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point25 C / 27 C
Altimeter30.07 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data