NIAGARA FALLS, NY, USA
N52HR
CESSNA 172N
THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE STARTED TO RUN ROUGH DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT OVER NIAGARA FALLS, NY, AND THE PILOT LANDED IN A WHEAT FIELD SHORT OF THE NIAGARA FALLS AIRPORT. THE NOSE WHEEL STUCK IN THE SOFT FIELD AND THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO THE PILOT OR HIS THREE PASSENGERS. THE OIL DRAIN PLUG WAS MISSING ALLOWING THE OIL TO DRAIN OUT AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN REPLACED 6 FLIGHT HOURS BEFORE.
ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO OIL STARVATION AND COLLISION WITH TERRAIN DURING THE FORCED LANDING. THE OIL STARVATION WAS CAUSED BY THE OIL LEAKING OUT OF THE DRAIN BECAUSE MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL FAILED TO INSTALL THE DRAIN PLUG.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
