Accident Overview
On May 22, 2024, about 0653 central daylight time, a Cessna 172RG airplane, registration N751DW, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing on a beach near Chandeleur Island, Louisiana. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The aircraft was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot, approximately one hour and twenty minutes into the flight, he detected a smell of smoke and observed the oil pressure decreasing. He decided to divert to Chandeleur Island for a precautionary landing. By the time of landing, the oil pressure had dropped to zero, and the cabin was filling with smoke. Upon touchdown on the beach, the nose landing gear dug into the sand and collapsed. The landing gear well structure sustained substantial damage during the event.
Examination Findings
A postaccident examination revealed that the oil pressure line from the engine to the firewall fitting had fractured. The line exhibited a bend of approximately 360° near its mid-span, and the fracture occurred within that bent segment. Metallurgical analysis showed that the fracture surface had features consistent with fatigue cracking. The crack originated on the exterior surface of the tube at the outer side of the 360° bend. It then propagated through the tube wall thickness and circumferentially until final fracture occurred on the opposite side of the tube.
Maintenance History
Maintenance records indicated that the engine had been overhauled and reinstalled on the airframe approximately one month before the accident. The mechanic noted that during the overhaul, the oil line was visually inspected for condition. No corrosion, worn areas, dents, or nicks were found, and the line was subsequently reinstalled on the airplane. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated 119 hours of operation since the engine overhaul.