On June 29, 2024, about 1800 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172I airplane, N46118, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lewiston Woodville, North Carolina. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that the airplane departed Williamsburg-Jamestown Airport (JGG), Williamsburg, Virginia, with a destination of Topsail Airpark (01NC), Holly Ridge, North Carolina. About an hour after departure, while en route to his destination at a cruise altitude of 3,500 ft mean sea level, the pilot noted the engine’s oil temperature was higher than normal and observed what appeared to be smoke coming from the engine cowling. He determined there was a possible engine fire emergency and chose to perform a landing to a cultivated field. During the landing, the left wing struck vegetation, and the airplane came to rest in the field in an upright position.

Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the airplane’s left wing and aileron sustained substantial damage. Further examination revealed that a foreign material consistent with residential-type insulation obstructed the engine’s oil cooler and some cylinder cooling fins. There was no evidence of fire or fire damage noted to the engine or airframe. The source of the foreign material, which was also in the induction air filter and on the nose landing gear, could not be determined.