Cessna 175A N6846E

Summary

On 13 December 1997 at about 18:10 local time, a Cessna 175A registered N6846E was involved in an accident near Houston, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 December 1997 at 18:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Houston, Texas, United States

Coordinates

29.9997, -95.6698

Aircraft

Cessna 175A

Registration

N6846E

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW98LA062

2 people had minor injuries.

The total loss of engine power resulting from detonation and the ensuing failure of the engine piston and connecting rod components. Factors were: the instructor's decision to take off with a known deficiency (magneto drop over limit), the flight instructor's lack of familiarity with the aircraft, and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During cruise flight at full throttle and engine rpm at 2,700 to 2,800 (maximum 3,200 rpm), the engine ran rough. As the engine rpm and oil pressure decreased, emergency procedures performed by the flight instructor did not restore engine power. During the forced landing in a wet field, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over to an inverted position. This was the flight instructor's first flight in this make and model of aircraft. Before takeoff, the left magneto drop was beyond the 125 rpm maximum drop allowable. The last annual inspection was conducted in April 1997 at a tachometer reading of 1,956.59 hours. The tachometer reading at the time of the accident was 1,995.61 hours. A teardown of the engine revealed a hole in the #6 cylinder piston, and separation of the rod cap and bolts for the #3 cylinder connecting rod. The components of the #3 connecting rod exhibited overload features. The #6 cylinder piston exhibited physical evidence of detonation or preignition.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.