On March 24, 2000, a Cessna 172N (registration N75958) was involved in an aviation accident near Maud, OK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fatigue failure of the #3 exhaust rocker arm retaining stud originated at the thread root from multiple origins. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During an instrument training flight, an airplane experienced violent vibration, prompting a precautionary landing in a field. During the landing roll, the right horizontal stabilizer struck a fence. Investigation found fatigue failure of a rocker arm retaining stud.
Event Narrative
A flight instructor and a private pilot receiving instruction were practicing basic maneuvers during an instrument training flight. The airplane began to vibrate violently, prompting the pilots to reduce throttle and check the magnetos. They executed a precautionary landing to an open field. During the landing roll, the right horizontal stabilizer made contact with a fence.
Examined Components
Following the incident, an FAA inspector examined the engine and discovered that the number 3 exhaust rocker arm retaining stud had separated. A fragment of the stud was found beneath the intake rocker arm, and the remaining portion of the stud was still seated in the cylinder head assembly. The separated stud was sent for metallurgical examination.
Metallurgical Analysis
Metallurgical examination determined that the stud failed due to fatigue. The fatigue crack originated at the thread root and propagated from multiple origins.
Probable cause
Fatigue failure of the #3 exhaust rocker arm retaining stud originated at the thread root from multiple origins.
What happened in the 24 Mar 2000 Cessna 172N accident near Maud, OK?
During an instrument training flight, an airplane experienced violent vibration, prompting a precautionary landing in a field. During the landing roll, the right horizontal stabilizer struck a fence. Investigation found fatigue failure of a rocker arm retaining stud.
Were there any fatalities in the 24 Mar 2000 Cessna 172N accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 24 Mar 2000 involved a Cessna 172N, registration N75958, at Maud, OK.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
Fatigue failure of the #3 exhaust rocker arm retaining stud originated at the thread root from multiple origins.
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