Accident Overview
On October 1, 2016, at about 1808 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172S airplane, N497SJ, sustained substantial damage during a landing accident near Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Preflight and Departure
The pilot's preflight inspection revealed no anomalies. He determined the engine contained 7 quarts of oil. After taxiing and completing an engine run-up, he was cleared for takeoff.
In-flight Events
The pilot applied full throttle and observed all engine instruments within the "green arc," including oil temperature and pressure. At 2,500 feet mean sea level and 5 nautical miles northwest of the departure airport, the oil temperature indicated 245°F, at redline. The pilot contacted air traffic control and requested to return. Shortly thereafter, the engine began running roughly. The tower controller cleared the pilot for landing.
Landing and Aftermath
Upon touchdown, the airplane bounced and came to rest on the runway. The pilot did not go around due to the potential engine issue. Examination by an FAA inspector revealed the airplane contacted the runway on the nose landing gear, which was bent forward and collapsed into the firewall. The propeller struck the runway, damaging both tips. Oil was seeping from both sides of the engine cowling, both access doors, and underneath. The dipstick indicated about 3 quarts of oil remained. The oil appeared clear and uncontaminated.
Engine Examination
Engine examination under FAA supervision found no hidden damage. However, the vernatherm, a thermostatic oil cooler bypass valve, would not close. The vernatherm allows cold oil to bypass the cooler and closes at about 180°F to force oil through the cooler.
Wind Conditions
Air traffic control audio recordings revealed that during landing clearance, the tower controller advised the wind was from 080° at 9 knots gusting to 18 knots, resulting in a 50° left crosswind component of 7 to 14 knots for the landing runway. The Cessna 172S Pilot’s Operating Handbook lists the maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity as 15 knots.