Cessna 175B accident near Locust Grove, Oklahoma, April 16, 2004
On April 16, 2004 at about 3:40 pm local time, a Cessna 175B, registered N8172T, was substantially damaged in an accident near Locust Grove, Oklahoma (Claremore airport). It was a personal 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 improper installation of the generator, which resulted in oil starvation. A factor was the unsuitable terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 16, 2004 · about 3:40 pm local time
- Place
- Locust Grove, Oklahoma · Claremore · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 175B · all 175Bs on the register
- Registration
- N8172T · no longer on the register · serial 17556872
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 800-hour pilot stated that while in cruise flight, he smelled "fumes", and the engine began to "shudder." But, the engine gauges indicated normal readings. The engine continued to shudder and the oil pressure dropped to zero within a few seconds, and it began to lose power. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and performed a forced landing to a dirt field. Upon landing, the airplane rolled about 78 feet before it nosed over onto its back. External examination of the airplane revealed oil streaks over the left and right side of the engine cowling. Examination of the engine and maintenance records revealed the recently installed generator had partially separated due to the fact it had been installed improperly, which resulted in oil starvation.
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: foreign licence, private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 800 hours in all; 15 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 24, 2004; 2,327.6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental GO-300 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 2M8 Millington TN at 1:30 pm
- Destination: 1O7 Claremore OK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 2,400 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Observation at 3:33 pm from TQH, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.