Cessna 152 N714VX

Summary

On 11 November 1996 at about 18:05 local time, a Cessna 152 registered N714VX, operated by Sunbird Flight Services, was involved in an accident near Williams, Arizona, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 November 1996 at 18:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Williams, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Valle (40G)

Coordinates

35.3708, -112.2602

Aircraft

Cessna 152

Registration

N714VX

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Sunbird Flight Services

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Sedona

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX97LA037

1 person was seriously injured.

a foreign object in the oil system, which resulted in failure of the oil pump, oil starvation, loss of engine power, and a subsequent forced landing. Rough/uneven terrain in the emergency landing area was a related factor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, during initial climb, the engine gradually lost power. Subsequently, it crash landed on uneven/rocky terrain and came to rest against trees in an inverted attitude. Density altitude was computed to be about 7,300 feet. The pilot reported that prior to the flight, when he first started the engine, no indication of oil pressure was observed. He shut down the engine and purchased 1 quart of oil. No abnormal indications were observed during the subsequent ground check out or takeoff roll. However, during the initial climb, the oil pressure indicator dropped to zero pounds. A teardown examination of the engine was performed. The crankshaft assembly revealed signatures consistent with heat distress in the number 2 main journal area. The oil pump's drive shaft was found broken. A foreign metal object was observed wedged between the teeth of the pump's driving and driven gears, and the engagement end of the oil pump drive shaft was found sheared off. The foreign object resembled a small bolt or screw, which was not used in the manufacture of the engine.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.