1993-05-23: Cessna 185A — Forbes, Clarence, R. — Lowell, ID

Casualties unknown • Lowell, ID, US

Probable cause

FATIGUE OF THE ROCKER ARM AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN WHICH WAS ENCOUNTERED DURING THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

WHILE FLYING AT 8000 FEET MSL A PARTIAL POWER LOSS DEVELOPED. WHEN THE PILOT OBSERVED OIL ON THE LEFT WING STRUT HE CHOSE TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN A FIELD TO PREVENT ENGINE SEIZURE. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, IN SOFT TERRAIN, THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. POST CRASH EXAMINATION REVEALED THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER EXHAUST ROCKER ARM BROKEN IN HALF. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE ROCKER ARM SEPARATED IN FATIGUE. THE ROCKER ARM(S), WHICH WERE NOT UNDER AN APPROVED STC, HAD BEEN INSTALLED APPROXIMATELY 11 HOURS PREVIOUS TO THE ACCIDENT.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1993-05-23 Cessna 185A accident near Lowell, ID?

WHILE FLYING AT 8000 FEET MSL A PARTIAL POWER LOSS DEVELOPED. WHEN THE PILOT OBSERVED OIL ON THE LEFT WING STRUT HE CHOSE TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN A FIELD TO PREVENT ENGINE SEIZURE. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, IN SOFT TERRAIN, THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. POST CRASH EXAMINATION REVEALED THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1993-05-23 involved a Cessna 185A, registration N4080Y, operated by Forbes, Clarence, R., at Lowell, ID.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

FATIGUE OF THE ROCKER ARM AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN WHICH WAS ENCOUNTERED DURING THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X12487. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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