On May 16, 1994, a Cessna 172N (registration N738VE) operated by AV Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Arvin, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crankshaft gear teeth failed due to fatigue. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During cruise at 10,000 feet, the engine quit. The pilot declared an emergency and attempted to land on a road but was blocked by power lines, then landed in a field where the airplane nosed over. Investigation found crankshaft gear teeth failed due to fatigue.
Incident
While cruising at an altitude of 10,000 feet above mean sea level, the engine suddenly ceased operation. The pilot promptly declared an emergency and received navigational vectors directing toward a small airstrip. However, the pilot was unable to locate the airstrip and decided to land on a roadway. Power lines obstructed this landing site, so the pilot chose to land in an adjacent field. Upon touchdown, the airplane nosed over due to the soft terrain.
Investigation
An examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft gear teeth had failed because of fatigue. The internal engine gears that mate with the crankshaft gear were not damaged. The crankshaft had been installed in the accident engine 644 flight hours prior to the accident, after undergoing magnaflux and nitride processes. No records of the crankshaft's maintenance history before its installation in the accident engine were located.
What happened in the 16 May 1994 Cessna 172N accident near Arvin, CA?
During cruise at 10,000 feet, the engine quit. The pilot declared an emergency and attempted to land on a road but was blocked by power lines, then landed in a field where the airplane nosed over. Investigation found crankshaft gear teeth failed due to fatigue.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 16 May 1994 involved a Cessna 172N, registration N738VE, operated by AV Aviation, at Arvin, CA.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…