Cessna 172 accident near Marquette, Michigan, March 11, 1997
On March 11, 1997 at about 6:30 pm local time, a Cessna 172, registered N171AS, was substantially damaged in an accident near Marquette, Michigan. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
multiple oil leaks in the engine lubrication system. Factors were the disconnected wet vacuum pump line and the oil exhaustion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 11, 1997 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Marquette, Michigan · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N171AS · no longer on the register · serial 17248037
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that smoke started to enter the cabin from the heater vent. He shut the vent and scanned the engine instruments. He noted there was 'no oil pressure.' The engine 'started running very rough and shaking.' He 'shut the engine down to minimize vibration...established best glide angle' and conducted a forced landing in a wooded swamp. The airplane sustained substantial damage during the landing. Examination of the wreckage revealed the 'lower oil separator hose' was not connected to the wet vacuum pump. The number one and two connecting rod bolts were necked and fractured. Corresponding holes were punched in the crankcase. The left magneto gasket and the starter motor mounting flange exhibited evidence of oil leakage. Combustion deposits and spark plugs in the number three cylinder exhibited evidence of 'possible high oil consumption.' The operator of the airplane reported that he had 'topped off' the engine oil prior to the origination of the accident flight.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 73 hours in all; 73 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 22 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,406 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 20, 1996; 57 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ISQ Manistique MI at 5:30 pm
- Destination: IMT Iron Mountain MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 14 knots, gusting 3
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 30°F (-1°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.