Cessna 172S accident near Wellston, Ohio, August 9, 2017
On August 9, 2017 at about 4:20 pm local time, a 2002 Cessna 172S, registered N5274Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Wellston, Ohio. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of a connecting rod small end bushing, which resulted in a loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 9, 2017 · about 4:20 pm local time
- Place
- Wellston, Ohio · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172S S, built 2002 · all 172Ss on the register
- Registration
- N5274Q · no longer on the register · serial 172S9199
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot and observer were conducting an aerial observation flight of a pipeline. The pilot reported that, while maneuvering at a low altitude toward an airport to refuel, he heard a "significant boom" and noticed a reduction in engine rpm. The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to regain engine power and then initiated a forced landing to a space between trees. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted rolling, uneven grass terrain and a barbed wire fence. Examination and disassembly of the engine revealed a large hole on the top of the engine crankcase inboard of the No. 4 cylinder. The examination revealed that the No. 4 connecting rod had failed due to the installation of a nonconforming small end connecting rod bushing. Five days before the accident, the engine manufacturer had issued a mandatory service bulletin indicating that the accident connecting rod bushing may not have met engine specifications and may require followup action. Six days after the accident, the Federal Aviation Administration issued an airworthiness directive that required inspecting the connecting rods, replacing affected connecting rod small end bushings, and accomplishing the instructions in the engine manufacturer's mandatory service bulletin.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip engine power section › Failure
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Sloped/uneven terrain › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Fence/fence post › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; multi-engine sea; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,650.7 hours in all; 1,500 in this make and model; 127 in the last 90 days; 35 in the last 30 days; 5,500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 9, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,300.4 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 15, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 2,299 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-L2A (piston); 594 hours total
- Operator: Kcsi Texas INC
The flight
- Departed from: VTA Newark OH at 5:30 pm
- Destination: I43 Jackson OH
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observation at 4:15 pm from UNI, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
12 documents, released by the NTSB on November 3, 2017. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Excerpt of Lycoming Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Excerpts of Engine Records | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Invoice - Bushings | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Engine Repair Order | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Lycoming Service Bulletin | PDF, 20 pages | View Download |
| 8 | FAA Ad 2017-16-11 | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation - Lycoming | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation - Textron | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 11 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation - Kcsi | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 12 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.