Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Chandler, Arizona 85249
Thursday, December 21, 2006 10:55 MST

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The pilot reported that while in cruise flight the airplane began to vibrate, which was followed by a loud "bang," and then a complete loss of engine power. He attempted to restart the engine, trimmed the airplane to attain best glide speed, and looked for a place to make an emergency landing. The touchdown was normal; however, on the landing rollout the nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest inverted. An inspection of the engine revealed that the number 3 cylinder connecting rod had broken at the crankshaft journal. Cracks in multiple locations were observed on the right side engine case. Various pieces from the engine were located in the oil sump, oil pump housing, and oil filter element. The number 3 connecting rod, piston, and cylinder were thermally discolored (black coloration). Complete teardown of the engine revealed that the crankshaft at the number 3 journal area exhibited signs of thermal discoloration and distortion. The other connecting rods and main bearings showed signs of adequate lubrication. There were no oil system related discrepancies noted. A review of the engine logbooks revealed normal routine maintenance, which included 50-hour oil changes and servicing.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

a loss of engine power due to oil starvation to the number 3 cylinder crankpin and connecting rod bearing. The underlying cause of the oil starvation to the number 3 cylinder components could not be ascertained.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 12/21/2006
Event Day of the Week Thursday
Time of Event 1055
Event Time Zone Mountain Standard Time
Event City Chandler
Event State ARIZONA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 85249
Event Date Year 2006
Event Date Month 12
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 330700N
Event Location Longitude 1155700W
Event Location Airport --
Event Location Nearest Airport ID --
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation --
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1047 Mountain Standard Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 45
Weather Observation Facility ID CHD
Elevation of weather observation facility 1243
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 11
Time Zone of the weather observation MST
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) 30
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 6
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) -4
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) --
Variable Wind Indicator --
Wind Speed (knots) --
Wind Velocity Indicator Calm
Wind Gust Indicator Unknown
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 30.22
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) 23099
NTSB Notification Source FAA
NTSB Notification Date Dec 21 2006 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information DMS
Date of most recent change to record Feb 28 2008 3:59PM
User who most recently changed record NTSB\johb
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office WP-SDL-FSDO

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N5295B
NTSB Number LAX07LA058
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 152
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 15283829
Certified Max Gross Weight 1670
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 2
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection 100 Hour
Date of Last Inspection Nov 1 2006 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 130
Airframe Hours 13701.5
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated No
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name PMC Aviation LLC
Aircraft Owner Street Address --
Aircraft Owner City Queen Creek
Aircraft Owner State AZ
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 85242
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name Tailwind flight Centre, LLC
Operator Same as Owner? No
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? No
Operator Street Address --
Operator City Chandler
Operator State AZ
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 85249
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 No
Departure Point Same as Event Yes
Departure Airport Code CHD
Departure City Chandler
Departure State AZ
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1043
Departure Time Zone MST
Destination Same as Local Flt dest & departure same, accident can occur anywhere
Destination Airport Code GEU
Destination City --
Destination State --
Destination Country --
Specific Phase of Flight Cruise - normal
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Feb 13 2008 4:11PM
User who most recently changed record COOS
Since inspection or accident Last Inspection
Event Location Runway Number and Location NA
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --