Cessna 172 N46118 accident near Lewiston Woodville, North Carolina

Probable cause

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.

NTSB analysis

About an hour after departure, while en route to his destination, the pilot noted that 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. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its left wing and left aileron.

Postaccident examination of the airplane 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.

It is likely that the foreign material embedded in the oil cooler and some cylinder cooling fins restricted engine cooling, which resulted in an elevated oil temperature. The source of the foreign material, which was also found in the induction air filter and on the nose landing gear, could not be determined.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA24LA289 for the full record.