Primary finding
Probable cause
Fatigue failure of the number one piston assembly, which resulted in a loss of engine power.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot reported a complete loss of engine power. He selected an emergency landing area south of the airport for a forced landing. During the emergency landing, the main landing gear was torn from the airframe, and the airplane nosed over. An examination of the engine assembly, disclosed that there was a hole in the engine case below the right magneto. A teardown examination of the engine disclosed that debris from the number one piston was scattered throughout the engine crankcase. Examination of piston debris, from the piston pin area, exhibited evidence of fatigue cracking.
Source record
Factual narrative
On October 22, 1995, at 1622 central daylight time, a Cessna 182H, N70535, nosed over in a field while attempting an emergency landing two miles south of the Tuscaloosa Municipal Airport in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The sightseeing flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot and three passengers received minor injuries. The flight departed Tuscaloosa at 1617 hours. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot radioed the tower and reported a complete loss of engine power. The controller cleared the flight for an emergency landing to any runway. The pilot told the controller that he could not make the runway, and would attempt a forced landing to a field south of the airport. During the emergency landing, the main landing gear was torn from the airframe, and the airplane nosed over. The engine examination, disclosed that there was a hole in the engine case below the right magneto. The engine teardown further disclosed that the number one piston was shattered, and pieces of piston debris were recovered from the engine crankcase. Examination of the fractured piston debris disclosed that the piston failed in fatigue at the piston pin bore section. Pistons number three and five also exhibited fatigue cracking in the piston pin boss structure. The examination of the piston debris exhibited evidence of internal piston crown baked deposits. These type deposits are normally associated with high engine operating temperatures. -