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NTSB Report

May 22, 2024 · Cessna 172RG · N751DW

Chandeleur Island, LA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 22, 2024
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Chandeleur Island, LA
Aircraft
Cessna 172RG (1981)
Tail Number
N751DW
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN24LA211

The pilot reported that about an hour and twenty minutes into the flight he smelled smoke and noticed that the oil pressure was decreasing. He diverted for a precautionary landing. By that time, the oil pressure had dropped to zero and the cabin was filling with smoke. He landed on a beach, and the nose landing gear dug into the sand and collapsed. The landing gear well structure sustained substantial damage during the precautionary landing. A postaccident examination determined that the oil pressure line from the engine to the firewall fitting had fractured due to fatigue. The line was bent about 360° near mid-span, and the line was fractured within the bent segment. Airplane maintenance records revealed that the engine was overhauled and reinstalled on the airframe about a month before the accident. The mechanic noted that the oil line was inspected and reinstalled after the overhaul. The airplane had accumulated 119 hours since the engine overhaul.

NTSB Probable Cause

A fatigue failure of the engine oil pressure line, which resulted in the loss of engine oil during the flight and subsequent damage to the nose landing gear support structure during the precautionary landing.

Full Narrative

On May 22, 2024, about 0653 central daylight time, a Cessna 172RG airplane, N751DW, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Chandeleur Island, Louisiana. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. The pilot reported that about an hour and twenty minutes into the flight he smelled smoke and noticed that the oil pressure was decreasing. He diverted to Chandeleur Island for a precautionary landing. By that time, the oil pressure had dropped to zero and the cabin was filling with smoke. He landed on a beach, and the nose landing gear dug into the sand and collapsed. The landing gear well structure sustained substantial damage during the precautionary landing. A postaccident examination determined that the oil pressure line from the engine to the firewall fitting had fractured. The line was bent about 360° near mid-span, and the line was fractured within the bent segment. Metallurgical examination revealed that the fracture surface exhibited features consistent with fatigue. The origin was located at the exterior surface of the tube at the outside of the 360°bend. The crack progressed through the thickness of the tube wall and then circumferentially to final fracture at the opposite side of the tube. Airplane maintenance records revealed that the engine had been overhauled and was reinstalled on the airframe about one month before the accident. The mechanic noted that the oil line was visually inspected for condition, and there was no corrosion, worn areas, dents, or nicks on the line. As a result, the oil line was reinstalled on the airplane after the overhaul. The airplane had accumulated 119 hours since the engine overhaul.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:53 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172RG
Tail NumberN751DW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O360F1A6 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 68 F
Altimeter29.99 inHg
Observation Time06:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data