Cessna 177RG N7542V

Summary

On 14 April 2023 at about 19:40 local time, a Cessna 177RG registered N7542V was involved in an accident near Crestview, Florida, United States. One person was 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

14 April 2023 at 19:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Crestview, Florida, United States

Coordinates

30.8389, -86.4984

Aircraft

Cessna 177RG

Registration

N7542V

Category

Airplane

Year built

1976

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Destin → Crestview

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA23LA197

1 person was seriously injured.

The total loss of engine power due to the loosening and separation of the No. 1 connecting rod cap nuts in flight, resulting in catastrophic internal engine damage. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/owner’s failure to comply with the engine manufacturer’s service instruction on engine overhaul intervals.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during a flight in visual conditions, he heard a “boom” from the propeller hub. The propeller immediately began to oscillate and shudder violently, accompanied by severe engine vibration and oil loss. He shut the engine down and executed a forced landing to a field that resulted in structural damage to the airplane. The pilot sustained serious injuries. A teardown examination of the engine after recovery of the wreckage revealed that the No. 1 connecting rod cap separated from the rod during flight, resulting in catastrophic engine damage. Damage to the rod cap bolts and nuts was consistent with the nuts loosening and backing out over time. There was no evidence of heat distress on the affected parts. A review of the aircraft maintenance logbooks revealed that the last overhaul of the engine was performed more than 30 years before the accident. A service instruction issued by the engine manufacturer instructs all engine models to be overhauled within twelve calendar years of the date they first entered service or of the last overhaul.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.