1992-11-28: Cessna 185 — Cape Smythe Air Service — Point Hope, AK

Casualties unknown • Point Hope, AK, US

Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE NO. TWO CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD DUE TO A SLIPPED (SPUN) MAIN CRANKSHAFT BEARING WHICH BLOCKED OFF THE OIL HOLE TO THE CONNECTING ROD. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ON WHICH TO PERFORM A FORCED LANDING.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE ENGINE FAILED ABOUT 5 TO 6 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF DURING THE CLIMB TO CRUISE PHASE OF OPERATION. THE PILOT MADE AN OFF AIRPORT FORCED LANDING ON AN ICE FLOW. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PART 135 OPERATOR WAS REPOSITIONING THE AIRPLANE UNDER PART 91. THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS TRACED TO A SPUN CRANKSHAFT BEARING WHICH BLOCKED OFF THE OIL HOLE TO THE NO. 2 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD, RESULTING IN ITS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE SPUN BEARING MOST LIKELY WAS THE RESULT OF EITHER A LOSS OF TORQUE OR INSUFFICIENT TORQUE BEING APPLIED TO THE CRANKCASE THRU STUD BOLTS.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1992-11-28 Cessna 185 accident near Point Hope, AK?

THE ENGINE FAILED ABOUT 5 TO 6 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF DURING THE CLIMB TO CRUISE PHASE OF OPERATION. THE PILOT MADE AN OFF AIRPORT FORCED LANDING ON AN ICE FLOW. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PART 135 OPERATOR WAS REPOSITIONING THE AIRPLANE UNDER PART 91. THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS TRACED TO A SPUN…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1992-11-28 involved a Cessna 185, registration N20752, operated by Cape Smythe Air Service, at Point Hope, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE FAILURE OF THE NO. TWO CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD DUE TO A SLIPPED (SPUN) MAIN CRANKSHAFT BEARING WHICH BLOCKED OFF THE OIL HOLE TO THE CONNECTING ROD. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ON WHICH TO PERFORM A FORCED LANDING.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X15978. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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