NTSB Factual Report

On March 31, 2007, about 1330 eastern daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 175 airplane, N8092T, sustained substantial damage when it collided with trees during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while in cruise flight, about 12 miles northwest of Bunnell, Florida. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Flagler County Airport, Bunnell, about 1320, and was en route to the Haller Airpark, Green Cove Springs, Florida.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on April 3, the pilot reported that while in cruise flight about 2,500 feet above the ground, the engine began to run rough and lose power. He said while performing the emergency engine procedures, he observed black smoke coming from within the engine compartment, followed by a severe engine vibration, and then a complete loss of engine power. The pilot said he was unable to restore engine power, and selected an open swampy area surrounded by trees as an emergency landing area. During the emergency landing, the airplane's nose wheel collided with a large stump, and the wings collided with a stand of trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage.

According to the pilot, the airplane had been retrofitted with a 180 horsepower Franklin 6A-335-B engine.

After the airplane was recovered, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector from the Tampa Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) examined the airplane on May 8, 2007. The FAA inspector reported that during his preliminary external inspection of the engine crankcase assembly, he discovered a hole in the crankcase, adjacent to the number one cylinder attachment point. Additionally, he said that he found the number one piston assembly in the oil sump, and that the number one piston wristpin remained attached to the connecting rod. He said that portions of the engine crankshaft assembly were broken, and he noted a significant amount of rotational scoring in the internal portions of the engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power during cruise due to the separation of an engine piston, which resulted in a forced landing in a swamp and a collision with trees.