Wiscasset Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Wiscasset, Maine 04578
Sunday, September 12, 2004 13:30 EDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

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.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

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

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 9/12/2004
Event Day of the Week Sunday
Time of Event 1330
Event Time Zone Eastern Daylight Time
Event City Wiscasset
Event State MAINE
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 04578
Event Date Year 2004
Event Date Month 9
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 440000N
Event Location Longitude 0694300W
Event Location Airport Wiscasset
Event Location Nearest Airport ID IWI
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles 3
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation 70
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1353 Eastern Daylight Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 0
Weather Observation Facility ID IWI
Elevation of weather observation facility 70
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 3
Time Zone of the weather observation EDT
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 21
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 8
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 200
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 8
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 30.15
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury None
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None 2
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All --
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 18514
NTSB Notification Source NE Region Ops Center
NTSB Notification Date Sep 12 2004 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time 1530
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information DMS
Date of most recent change to record Oct 27 2005 6:51AM
User who most recently changed record NTSB\JOHB
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office Portland

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N7422X
NTSB Number NYC04LA210
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? No
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name Cessna
Aircraft Model 172B
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 17247922
Certified Max Gross Weight 2200
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 4
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection Oct 1 2003 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection --
Airframe Hours 4153
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated Yes
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name Russell P. Guiboro
Aircraft Owner Street Address P.O. Box 139
Aircraft Owner City Bristol
Aircraft Owner State ME
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 04539
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name Peter K. Shorey
Operator Same as Owner? No
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? No
Operator Street Address --
Operator City New Castle
Operator State ME
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 04553
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? --
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board --
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code 3B1
Departure City Greenville
Departure State ME
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1200
Departure Time Zone EDT
Destination Same as Local Flt crash at destination city
Destination Airport Code IWI
Destination City Wiscasset
Destination State ME
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight Cruise
Report sent to ICAO? No
Evacuation occurred No
Date of most recent change to record Jul 28 2005 8:16AM
User who most recently changed record SCHL
Since inspection or accident Time of Accident
Event Location Runway Number and Location 25
Runway Length 3397
Runway Width 75
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --