BELMONT, NH, USA
N6182P
CESSNA 152
THE PILOT STATED THAT MORNING THE TEMPERATURE WAS -4 DEGREES F. THE AIRPLANE WAS KEPT IN AN UNHEATED HANGER AND WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN E-Z HEAT AIRPLANE ENGINE HEATER SYSTEM. ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF DURING THE CLIMB AT APPROXIMATELY 2200 FEET HE NOTICED A HIGH OIL PRESSURE INDICATION, OIL SPRAYING ON THE WINDSHIELD AND SMOKE ENTERING THE COCKPIT. THE PILOT STATED, 'NOT KNOWING THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE AND THINKING I MAY HAVE AN ENGINE FIRE I CHOSE TO MAKE AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING.' DURING THE EMERGENCY LANDING THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A SNOW COVERED ROCK AND NOSED OVER. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED OIL CAME OUT THROUGH THE NOSE SEAL AND THE CRANKCASE BREATHER LINE WAS PLUGGED WITH ICE. FAA ADVISORY CIRCULAR 91-13C, DATED JULY 7, 1979 STATED '...SPECIAL CARE IS RECOMMENDED DURING THE PREFLIGHT TO ASSURE THAT THE BREATHER SYSTEM IS FREE OF ICE.'
On February 7, 1995, at approximately 0935 eastern standard time (est), a Cessna 152, N6182P, operated by Sky Bright, Inc. and piloted by Mark F. Goodwin, was substantially damaged during an emergency landing on a open field in Belmont, New Hampshire. The pilot received no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, "I took off at approximately 0930 est climbed straight out and departed the Laconia area towards the south and Concord which was my destination....Approximately 7 miles south of the airport is when I noticed the oil pressure was high. The temperature was indicating normally in the lower end of the green arc. What seemed like approximately 1 minute, oil started to spray on the lower half of the windshield. I immediately reduced power to approximately 2100-2200 RPM and started to turn back towards Laconia....At this time I had a strong burning smell followed, in a few seconds, by visible smoke in the cockpit. Not knowing the extent of the damage and thinking I may have an engine fire I chose to make an off airport landing....I touched down rather hard, bounced, the windshield broke, and alot of snow started entering the cockpit. The aircraft stopped left wing low, nose low....The terrain was rougher than I thought with rocks and bushes hidden under the snow. Infact I was shown pictures that show a rock that looks like it sheered off the left gear right after touchdown." During a telephone interview, the pilot stated, the temperature that morning was -4 degrees F. The airplane was kept in an unheated hanger. The airplane was equipped with an "E-Z" heat airplane engine heater system. FAA Advisory Circular 91-13C, dated July 7, 1979, dealing with Cold Weather Operation of Aircraft stated, "The crankcase breather requires special consideration when preparing for cold weather. Frozen breather lines can create numerous problems. When crankcase vapors cool, they may condense in the breather line and subsequently freeze it closed. Special care is recommended during the preflight to assure that the breather system is free of ice." The Federal Aviation Administration post accident examination revealed oil came out through the nose seal and the crankcase breather line was plugged with ice.
The pilot's inadequate preflight of the airplane that failed to detect the ice clogged breather which resulted in the loss of oil and a subsequent emergency landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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