Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ATL94LA134

CHAMBLEE, GA, USA

Aircraft #1

N67318

CESSNA 152

Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS IN THE AIRPORT TRAFFIC PATTERN PRACTICING TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS. WHILE TURNING BASE TO FINAL, THE ENGINE LOST POWER, AND THE INSTRUCTOR EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING TO A PARKING LOT. DURING THE LANDING ATTEMPT, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A FENCE AND A PARKED VEHICLE. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT COMPRESSION IN THREE OF THE FOUR CYLINDERS WAS BELOW ACCEPTABLE LIMITS. THE RECORDS SHOWED THAT THE ENGINE HAD BEEN FLOWN 2,836 HRS SINCE OVERHAUL. THE TIME LIMITATION BEFORE OVERHAUL FOR THE ENGINE IS 2,000 HRS.

Factual Information

On July 9, 1994, at 1610 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N67318, was substantially damaged following a collision with a vehicle during an emergency landing near Chamblee, Georgia. Neither the instructor pilot nor his student were injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by Aviation Training Consultants of Lawrenceville, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the local instructional flight. The flight departed Lawrenceville, Georgia at about 1540. The pilot stated that while in the traffic pattern on base leg, the engine lost power. An emergency landing was executed to a parking lot. During the landing, the aircraft struck a fence and a parked vehicle. Examination of the engine revealed that there was continuity of the engine drive train. The cylinder compressions, prior to staking the valves, (in pounds per square inch) were #1 38/80, #2 70/80, #3 18/80, and #4 10/80. The cylinder compressions after staking the valves, (in pounds per square inch) were #1 58/80, #2 70/80, #3 38/80, and #4 30/80. The minimum acceptable compression for the cylinders is 60/80 pounds per square inch. There was heavy carbon buildup in the cylinders, and on the pistons. The investigation determined that the engine had 2,836 hours since overhaul. Time between overhauls for the engine is 2,000 hours.

Probable Cause and Findings

INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE BY THE OPERATOR, WORN PISTON RINGS, AND FAILURE TO OVERHAUL THE ENGINE WHEN DUE.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports