Cessna T207A N9317M

Summary

On 26 May 2003 at about 17:40 local time, a Cessna T207A registered N9317M was involved in an accident near Page, Arizona, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 May 2003 at 17:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Page, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

36.9261, -111.4483

Aircraft

Cessna T207A

Registration

N9317M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Page → Grand Canyon

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX03LA164

Nobody was injured.

a loss of engine power due to a oil starvation induced catastrophic internal failure of the engine caused by the rotation of the number 2 cylinder main bearing. This narrative was modified on February 16, 2005.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot executed a forced landing after the airplane experienced a catastrophic engine failure. Approximately 20 minutes after takeoff, the engine started to violently shake. The pilot retarded the throttle to 15 inches of manifold pressure and reduced the rpm to 2300. White smoke was emitted from the top portion of the cowling and a small amount of smoke entered the cockpit. Also, a large amount of "very black" oil came from the front of the cowling. The pilot turned the airplane in the direction of the nearest airport. About 2 minutes later, the engine stopped completely. He turned a base leg for the highway below. While on final, the airplane was overtaking vehicles on the road so he elected to deviate to the side of the highway. During the landing roll, the nose gear was torn off. After securing the airplane, the pilot noted two large holes on the top, aft portion of the engine casing. Pieces of casing and piston were on and around the engine. A piston rod was located on top of the engine, and a third hole was located at the bottom of the engine casing. Disassembly of the engine revealed that the number 2 cylinder main bearing rotated and closed off the oil supply to the bearing. It had been 1464.5 hours since the engine's last overhaul. According to the engine manufacturer, the time between overhauls for this engine is 1,600 operating hours. An oil analysis on December 7, 2001, indicated that the wear metals appeared high for the oil time. This narrative was modified on February 16, 2005.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.