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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 14, 1998 · Taylorcraft BL-65 · N27616

Bedford, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 14, 1998
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Bedford, PA
Aircraft
Taylorcraft BL-65
Tail Number
N27616
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC98LA143

The pilot added engine oil before the flight. After takeoff, he noticed oil on the airplane's windshield. He returned to the airport, but reduced power early, landed about 500 feet short of the runway, and struck a fence post. The oil filler cap was found between two cylinders, 4 1/2 quarts of oil were found in the engine, and there was no evidence of any mechanical malfunction. Despite numerous requests, including a subpoena, the pilot did not provide a completed Pilot/Operator Report. The pilot did not have a current medical certificate, nor a current biennial flight review. On his last medical certificate application, in 1993, the pilot reported a total flight time of 920 hours. However, there was no evidence of any flight time since then. There was also no evidence of pilot competency in either normal or emergency procedures, in any aircraft.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection in which he failed to secure the oil filler cap, and his misjudgment of distance and altitude from the runway.

Full Narrative

On July 14, 1998, about 1530 Eastern Daylight Time, a Taylorcraft BL-65, N27616, was substantially damaged on approach to Bedford County Airport (HMZ), Bedford, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured, and the passenger sustained a minor injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot added engine oil before the flight. After takeoff, the pilot noticed oil on the airplane's windshield. He returned to the airport, but reduced power early, landed about 500 feet short of the runway, and struck a fence post. According to a witness, postflight examination revealed that the oil filler cap was not in place, but located between two cylinders. The Inspector stated that there were 4 1/2 quarts of oil remaining in the engine, and that there was no evidence of any mechanical malfunction. The pilot was requested, on numerous occasions, by both letter and telephone, to complete a Pilot/Operator Report, as required by federal law. The pilot did not provide the completed report, nor did he respond to a subpoena to appear at the Safety Board regional headquarters with the required information. The pilot did not have a current medical certificate, nor was there any record of a current biennial flight review. On his last medical certificate application, in 1993, the pilot reported a total flight time of 920 hours. However, there was no evidence of any flight time since then. There was also no evidence of pilot competency in either normal or emergency procedures, in any aircraft.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 EDT
Nearest AirportBedford County Airport (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftTaylorcraft BL-65
Tail NumberN27616
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-145B · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data