Summary
On June 29, 2024, a Cessna 172I (N46118) was involved in an incident near Lewiston Woodville, NC. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
On June 29, 2024, about 0800 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172I, N46118, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lewiston Woodville, North Carolina. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the airplane departed Williamsburg-Jamestown Airport (JGG), Williamsburg, Virginia, with a destination of Topsail Airpark (01NC), Holly Ridge, North Carolina. About 1 hour after departure, while enroute to his destination at a cruise altitude of 3,500 ft mean sea level, the pilot noted the engine’s oil temperature was higher than normal and observed what appeared to be smoke coming from the engine cowling.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA24LA289. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N46118.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The obstruction of the engine’s cooling system by foreign object debris (residential-type insulation), which resulted in smoke, an elevated oil temperature, and a subsequent off-airport landing on unsuitable terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On June 29, 2024, about 1800 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172I airplane, N46118, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lewiston Woodville, North Carolina. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The pilot reported that the airplane departed Williamsburg-Jamestown Airport (JGG),
Williamsburg, Virginia, with a destination of Topsail Airpark (01NC), Holly Ridge, North
Carolina. About an hour after departure, while en route to his destination at a cruise altitude of 3,500 ft mean sea level, the pilot noted the engine’s oil temperature was higher than normal and observed what appeared to be smoke coming from the engine cowling. He determined there was a possible engine fire emergency and chose to perform a landing to a cultivated field. During the landing, the left wing struck vegetation, and the airplane came to rest in the field in an upright position.
Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the airplane’s left wing and aileron sustained substantial damage. Further examination revealed that a foreign material consistent with residential-type insulation obstructed the engine’s oil cooler and some cylinder cooling fins. There was no evidence of fire or fire damage noted to the engine or airframe. The source of the foreign material, which was also in the induction air filter and on the nose landing gear, could not be determined.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA24LA289