CLANTON, AL, USA
N609CW
CESSNA 172N
THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED IN A HIGH SPEED GLIDE TO TOUCH DOWN BRIEFLY IN A PASTURE AT THE TOP OF A KNOLL. IT THEN DROPPED BELOW THE RISE & CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA ADJACENT TO THE PASTURE. EXAMINATION OF THE ENG SHOWED A CRACK EXTENDING FROM THE TOP FORWARD HOLD-DOWN BOLT ON THE RIGHT FRONT CYLINDER THROUGH THE PUSH ROD OPENING TO THE TOP OF THE CRANKCASE. THE TOP FORWARD HOLD-DOWN BOLT WAS SHEARED OFF & CAME LOOSE WHEN TOUCHED. THERE WAS ALSO A CRACK ON THE LEFT SIDE EXTENDING FROM APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH AFT OF THE FRONT CYLINDER HOLD-DOWN BOLT UPWARD BETWEEN THE PUSH ROD HOUSINGS TO THE TOP OF THE CRANKCASE. TEAR DOWN OF THE ENG REVEALED THE OIL PUMP DRIVE GEAR FAILED.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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