Primary finding
Probable cause
The loss of engine power due to a sheared accessory drive pin. A factor was the unsuitable terrain
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During a climb, vfr, the airplane lost engine power. The pilot executed a forced landing to the only available area, which had fences crossing the landing roll area. The airplane touched down and during the landing roll it struck several fences and traversed several roads prior to nosing over to the inverted position. An examination of the engine revealed that the accessory drive pin had sheared
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 19, 1993, at 2040 central daylight time (CDT), a Cessna 152, N25051, was substantially damaged following a forced landing near Belmont, Louisiana. The instructor pilot and his rated student were not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana. Weather for the local instructional flight was visual meteorological conditions. The pilot's reported to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, verbally and in writing, that they heard a "loud bang." Following the loud bang the airplane lost power. They reported that the initial touchdown was "normal," however, during the landing roll the airplane traversed two roads and penetrated several fences prior to nosing over to the inverted position. An examination of the engine revealed that the dowel alignment pin of the accessory drive section had sheared resulting in complete loss of all accessories. The airplane was released to the owner. -