On November 12, 1998, a Cessna 152 (registration N48013) operated by Dean International, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Miami, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The loss of engine power due to a connecting rod failure for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 10 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot reported a sound and vibration shortly after takeoff. While returning, the engine lost power. She performed a forced landing in a school field, landing downwind and bouncing, then hitting two fences before coming to rest nearly vertical. Examination found a broken connecting rod and an extruded bearing.
Accident Sequence
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot heard a sound and felt a vibration. She informed air traffic control of the situation while turning to return to the airport. During the turn, the engine experienced a loss of power. The pilot maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing to a school field. The landing was downwind and longer than anticipated. The airplane bounced, and while airborne, it collided with a fence. It then collided with a second fence and came to rest with the fuselage nearly vertical.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the engine revealed a sufficient quantity of engine oil. The cylinder walls of the No. 1 and No. 3 cylinders were noted to be dry when the engine was examined six days after the accident. The No. 3 cylinder connecting rod was broken. No evidence of lack of lubrication was noted on the crankshaft journals. The No. 3 main bearing was noted to be extruded when examined. Examination of the recovered connecting rod components by the NTSB Metallurgical Laboratory revealed overstress failure; the components did not exhibit mechanical damage to fracture surfaces. The thickness of a recovered bearing shell fragment was measured to be 0.019 to 0.022 inch; the specified thickness of the connecting rod bearing steel back is 0.056 to 0.066 inch.