Cessna 182 N9398G

Summary

On 16 October 2018 at about 03:10 local time, a Cessna 182 registered N9398G was involved in an accident near Opelika, Alabama, United States. 3 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 October 2018 at 03:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Opelika, Alabama, United States

Nearest airport

Auburn University Regional (AUO)

Coordinates

32.6333, -85.3683

Aircraft

Cessna 182

Registration

N9398G

Category

Airplane

Year built

1971

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Auburn → Athens

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

ERA19LA017

1 person was seriously injured.

The improper torque application and ongoing inspection of an oil filter adaptor by maintenance personnel, which resulted in a loss of lubrication and a catastrophic engine failure.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the climb after takeoff, the pilot noticed a drop in engine oil pressure and turned back toward the airport to land. Almost immediately thereafter, the engine began to run rough and eventually lost power completely. The pilot performed a forced landing to an interstate exit ramp, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. Examination of the engine revealed that the Nos. 2 and 4 connecting rods were separated from their respective rod journals. All rod journals were absent of lubrication and displayed heat damage. Disassembly of the engine and the separation of the case halves revealed abnormal wear and damage consistent with loss of lubrication. Examination and testing of engine accessories revealed no anomalies that would have prevented normal operation. The engine was equipped with a screw-on oil filter adaptor required to be torqued to 65 ft/lbs at installation, and the integrity of the oil filter adaptor installation was required to be examined during every 100-hour and annual inspection. The adaptor on the accident engine was found loose and could be easily rotated by hand through a 90° arc, and oil seepage was found on the area surrounding the oil filter adapter attachment point. Given this information, it is likely that the loose adaptor allowed the engine oil to be pumped overboard, resulting in a loss of engine lubrication and catastrophic failure of the Nos. 2 and 4 connecting rods.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.