Accident Cessna A188B N53172, Monday 22 September 1997

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Date:	Monday 22 September 1997
Time:	09:33 LT
Type:	Cessna A188B
Owner/operator:	Aduda & Sons
Registration:	N53172
MSN:	18801662T
Total airframe hrs:	3067 hours
Engine model:	Continental IO-520-F
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Zellwood, FL - United States of America
Phase:	Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:	Agricultural
Departure airport:	, FL (KPVT)
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
According to the pilot, a loss of engine power occurred, while he was applying insecticide to a farm. A force landing was made in a plowed field. During the landing, the airplane encountered a small ditch in soft terrain, and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the maintenance records revealed that a top overhaul of the engine had been accomplished, 7 days before the accident. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed a fractured crankshaft. Multiple origin sites of the fracture were found from the surface of the journal radius. There was evidence that inadequate torque had been applied to the crankcase through-bolts. The #2 main bearing had moved fore and aft in the bearing bore and had rotated in the crankcase; there was heavy fretting at the #2 and #3 main bearing boss parting surfaces; and there was evidence of severe pounding from lack of support that had started a breakup of the #2 bearing.

Probable Cause: failure of mechanics to adequately torque the crankcase through-bolts following a top overhaul, which subsequently resulted in a crankshaft failure. Soft/uneven terrain in the emergency landing area was a related factor.

Accident investigation: