Probable cause
A total loss of engine power due to the fatigue fracture of the No. 2 exhaust rocker arm stud.
NTSB analysis
According to the flight instructor, he and a student pilot were conducting a local, instructional flight. The instructor reported that, while flying about 800 ft above a shoreline, the engine started to vibrate, and it then lost all power. He tried to restart the engine twice to no avail. On the third attempt, the engine started, but it would not produce more than 1,200 rpm. The instructor saw people on the beach and decided to land on the water. When the main landing gear touched down on the water, the airplane immediately flipped over, which resulted in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder.
Examination of the engine revealed that the No. 2 exhaust rocker arm stud was fractured. Metallurgical examination of the fracture surfaces on the rocker arm stud revealed that it had fractured due to fatigue. The fatigue fracture of the No. 2 exhaust rocker arm stud likely led to the loss of engine power.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA19LA079 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 24, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N3015E
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1978
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
Other records under this N-number
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.