On September 5, 1998, a Cessna 177RG (registration N2679V) was involved in an aviation accident near Covington, GA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The No. 3 connecting rod bearing became unsecured and rotated, blocking the lubrication port and causing the engine to fail. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft experienced a loss of engine oil pressure shortly after takeoff, leading to an engine seizure and an emergency landing in a grass field.
What happened
Approximately 10 minutes after takeoff, the pilot experienced a loss of indicated engine oil pressure. Following this loss of pressure, the engine began to run rough. The engine subsequently seized approximately two miles before the aircraft reached its intended divert airport.
In response to the engine failure, the pilot initiated an emergency landing in a grass field. During the landing rollout, the aircraft collided with a fence. There were no injuries reported following the incident.
The investigation
A subsequent examination of the engine was conducted to determine the cause of the failure. Investigators found that the No. 3 connecting rod bearing had become unsecured and rotated from its installed location. This rotation ultimately blocked the lubrication port. As a result, the No. 3 connecting rod failed, which caused a hole to be observed in the crankcase adjacent to the No. 1 cylinder.
Probable cause
The No. 3 connecting rod bearing became unsecured and rotated, blocking the lubrication port and causing the engine to fail.