History of Flight
On September 27, 2016, at about 1830 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, registration N52126, was destroyed when it impacted terrain following a loss of control near Laytonsville, Maryland. The commercial pilot, who also held a mechanic certificate, was fatally injured. The airplane was owned by TSS Flying Club, Inc., and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight departed from Davis Airport (W50) in Laytonsville and was destined for Montgomery County Airpark (GAI) in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
According to TSS Flying Club representatives, earlier that day at about 1400, the pilot/mechanic flew the airplane from the club's base at GAI to W50 to perform a 100-hour maintenance inspection. Airport security video showed the pilot taxiing onto the maintenance ramp, shutting down the engine, removing the cowling, draining the engine oil, and inspecting spark plugs, air filter, and other components before reinstalling the cowling. He then pushed the airplane back, started the engine, and taxied for takeoff. The video did not show the pilot adding oil to the engine.
Air traffic control audio recordings indicate that shortly after takeoff from W50, the pilot reported losing an engine and that he was returning to the airport. Multiple witnesses observed the airplane flying southeast, making a 180° turn back toward W50, then flying erratically before momentarily stabilizing and then falling sideways. One witness reported seeing the top of the airplane's wing throughout the descent. Airport security video captured the airplane emitting a smoke plume about 8 minutes after departure, when it was approximately 1 mile southeast of the airport.
Aircraft and Engine Examination
The airplane was a four-seat, high-wing model built in 1981, powered by a Lycoming O-360-A4M engine with a two-bladed Sensenich propeller. Maintenance records were destroyed in the postcrash fire, preventing verification of maintenance intervals.
Postaccident examination revealed that the engine, cockpit, cabin, empennage, and most of both wings were consumed by fire. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to the control surfaces. The propeller remained attached; one blade was bent aft, partially melted, with leading edge nicks, and the outboard half of the other blade was consumed by fire.
The engine was removed and examined. The oil sump, oil filter, and accessory section were destroyed by fire. No witness marks were found on the starter housing or ring gear support. Top spark plugs were removed, but the crankshaft could not be rotated. Valve covers contained no oil or residue. Only cylinders No. 1 and No. 2 could be removed; the No. 1 cylinder had internal piston damage and restricted connecting rod rotation, while the No. 2 rod moved freely. The oil pump was disassembled; the drive shaft could not be rotated, and the steel gears were locked. The accessory housing side of the oil pump was discolored, indicating lack of lubrication.
The engine case halves were split. The No. 3 intake and No. 4 exhaust tappet bodies were damaged and fell out. The case was fractured near the No. 4 cylinder. The No. 3 cylinder showed thermal damage at the cylinder head to barrel interface. The interior of the case had no residual oil. The camshaft exhibited heat signatures consistent with lack of lubrication. Bearing damage was noted throughout, including the No. 1 connecting rod bearing showing discoloration and heat damage. The No. 4 connecting rod was found broken and discolored, with its cap severely damaged from impact with the crankshaft. The crankshaft journals were highly discolored; the No. 4 journal had a crack about 2 inches long. All engine damage signatures were consistent with a lack of lubrication.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy by the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner attributed the pilot's death to multiple injuries. Forensic toxicology performed by the FAA detected no ethanol or drugs in the pilot's urine.