Cessna 337G N72268

Summary

On 27 May 2010 at about 22:43 local time, a Cessna 337G registered N72268 was involved in an accident near High Springs, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one 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

27 May 2010 at 22:43

Classification

Accident

Location

High Springs, Florida, United States

Coordinates

29.8000, -82.6000

Aircraft

Cessna 337G

Registration

N72268

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Valdosta → Ocala

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA10LA284

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to follow the published engine-out procedures after a total loss of power in the rear engine. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance and inspection of the engine by the pilot and maintenance personnel.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During cruise flight, the rear engine on the twin engine airplane incurred a total loss of power, and the pilot executed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane struck several trees, separating the left wing from the fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the front propeller was bent and the rear engine's propeller was feathered. Oil spatter was visible on the underside of the horizontal stabilizer and elevator. Examination of the rear engine revealed that the end of a connecting rod was protruding from a hole in the top of the engine case. Further examination revealed numerous problems indicative of excessive wear, improper maintenance, and inadequate inspection. Maintenance records for the airplane and engines were incomplete, and the only entries were for the yearly annual inspections. No entries regarding repairs, alterations, part replacements, oil changes, or preventive maintenance were listed. According to the engine manufacturer, the engine should have been overhauled at 1,500 hours. Total time in service for the failed rear engine however was 2,404.3 hours. When asked about the airplane manufacturer's procedures for a loss of power, the pilot was unable to articulate them, and when asked about his subsequent actions, the pilot advised that he had not feathered the propellers (the rear propeller may have feathered when oil pressure was lost). According to the manufacturer, the ENGINE-OUT DURING FLIGHT checklist should have been used to determine the inoperative engine and secure it. Operational data in the owner's manual indicated that, if the airplane was configured using the checklist, it would have had sufficient residual performance to continue flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.