Cessna 172B N7422X

Summary

On 12 September 2004 at about 17:30 local time, a Cessna 172B registered N7422X, operated by Peter K. Shorey, was involved in an accident near Wiscasset, Maine, United States. 2 people were 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

12 September 2004 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Wiscasset, Maine, United States

Nearest airport

Wiscasset (IWI)

Coordinates

44.0000, -69.7167

Aircraft

Cessna 172B

Registration

N7422X

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Peter K. Shorey

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Greenville → Wiscasset

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC04LA210

Nobody was injured.

The failure of the oil filter adapter seal, which resulted in a loss of oil pressure, and subsequent catastrophic engine failure, and forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While in cruise flight, the engine suddenly began to lose oil pressure. Thirty seconds later, the engine quit, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane struck trees and flipped over. Examination of the engine revealed oil in the engine compartment and an oil leak that originated from the seal where the oil filter adapter attached to the crankcase. A subsequent teardown of the engine reveled that the number 1 connecting rod was fractured and exhibited thermal signatures, consistent with high temperatures. Fragments of bearing and connecting rod material were located in the oil sump. The fragments were blackened, consistent with exposure to high temperatures. In addition, the crankshaft exhibited thermal damage and smearing on the number 1 and number 2 connecting rod journals.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.