Cessna 152 accident near Springfield, Ohio, October 27, 2002
On October 27, 2002 at about 3:10 pm local time, a Cessna 152, registered N49422, was substantially damaged in an accident near Springfield, Ohio (Springfield-Beckley Muncipal). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Inadequate installation of the number 3 cylinder.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 27, 2002 · about 3:10 pm local time
- Place
- Springfield, Ohio · Springfield-Beckley Muncipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 152 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- N49422 · no longer on the register · serial 15281253
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane had undergone a 100-hour inspection during which the number 3 cylinder was replaced. During the first flight after maintenance was performed, while en route to the destination airport, the airplane experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot prepared for a precautionary landing at a nearby airport; however, while en route to the airport, the pilot realized he would not be able to make it to the runway, and performed a forced landing on a football field. Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed the number 3 cylinder exhaust rocker arm set screw had backed out and the jam nut was observed lying in the rocker cover. Additionally, the "1102" plug was missing from the intake port of the number three cylinder. A measurement was taken of the tappet clearance (between the rocker foot and the valve stem tip) and noted to be .300 inch. According to published Lycoming Service Instructions, the tappet clearance should have been .006 to .012 inch.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 902 hours in all; 164 in this make and model; 16 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 566 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 27, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,037 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, October 26, 2002; 0.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: I73 Moraine OH at 2:30 pm
- Destination: 17G Bucyrus OH
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,000 ft; a few clouds at 1,500 ft
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observation at 1:55 pm from FFO, 10 miles away
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.