Cessna 152 N6110Q

Summary

On 26 December 1995 at about 20:22 local time, a Cessna 152 registered N6110Q was involved in an accident near Compton, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 December 1995 at 20:22

Classification

Accident

Location

Compton, California, United States

Coordinates

33.8698, -118.2396

Aircraft

Cessna 152

Registration

N6110Q

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Long Beach

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX96FA080

2 people had minor injuries.

a push rod failed from fatigue as a result of longitudinal stress corrosion cracking.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The instructor experienced a sudden reduction in engine rpm during climb out. After checking the engine and electrical systems, he took the controls and made a forced landing to a dry flood control canal. His attempts to advance the throttle resulted in a further loss of power. During the last portion of the approach he saw utility lines and attempted to avoid them but the aircraft struck an overhead cable. Witnesses heard popping sounds and saw smoke trailing the aircraft. An examination of the engine revealed a broken exhaust push rod. An examination found the push rod failed due to the manufacturing process in which it was artificially aged. This process made the push rod susceptible to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) with a lower stress threshold. The ASM handbook states that the preferred method is to maintain the material at the aging temperature for a longer period of time. The interference pins that are inserted in the ends of the push rod most likely produced hoop stress at a level sufficient to initiate SCC once the push rod is exposed to an environment of humid and/or salty air. SCC most likely began after manufacture, but before the push rod was placed into service during a period in which it was exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.