Cessna 172R accident near Jackson, Tennessee, March 5, 2014
On March 5, 2014 at about 4:56 pm local time, a 1997 Cessna 172R, registered N9417Z, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near Jackson, Tennessee (Mckellar Sipes Regional airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to maintenance personnel’s improper installation of the lower vacuum pump.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 5, 2014 · about 4:56 pm local time
- Place
- Jackson, Tennessee · Mckellar Sipes Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172R, built 1997 · all 172Rs on the register
- Registration
- N9417Z · registry record · serial 17280265
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during the climb after takeoff in instrument meteorological conditions, he noted that the engine was losing oil pressure rapidly. He immediately made a 180-degree turn to return to the departure airport. While inbound on the instrument landing system (ILS) approach, he realized that the airplane was too high, so he executed a 360-degree descending turn. He then again proceeded inbound on the ILS approach. He continued the descent but, because the airplane had not captured the glideslope, he executed a missed approach. He then circled the airplane around and re-established the airplane on the localizer. Subsequently, the engine lost all power, and the airplane began descending. The pilot subsequently landed the airplane on a road just north of the airport. During the landing, the right wing impacted a highway sign, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The airplane then veered right and entered a cornfield. Examination of the wreckage revealed the presence of oil on the back of the engine, firewall, and belly. The engine was started with the engine cowling removed, and oil was observed to appear on the back of the accessory pad near the lower vacuum pump. Further examination of the area revealed that the accessory drive adapter gasket was the source of the leak. Review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed that, on the day before the accident, the lower vacuum pump had been removed and that a new vacuum pump, shaft seal, and accessory drive adapter gasket had been installed. Examination revealed that the proper gasket was installed; however, it was distorted and showed signs of excessive compression and "squeezeout," which indicated that the nuts had been overtorqued during installation.
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
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
- Loss of engine power (partial) during maneuvering
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng rear section › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng rear section › Damaged/degraded
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 275 hours in all; 215 in this make and model; 19 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 237 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 19, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,083 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 22, 2013; 47 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,450 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming I0-360-B1E (piston); 4,083 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MKL Jackson MS at 3:15 pm
- Destination: AGS Augusta GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 02, 6,006 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 200 ft
- Temperature: 34°F (1°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from MKL, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Other NTSB records under N9417Z the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA14LA142.