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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 8, 1993 · Mooney M20J · N3896H

Magee, MS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 8, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Magee, MS
Aircraft
Mooney M20J
Tail Number
N3896H
Operator
Capps William R
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA93LA151

THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT, A MECHANIC CHANGED THE ENGINE OIL BUT DID NOT RUN THE ENGINE AFTER TO CHECK FOR OIL LEAKS. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE OIL QUANTITY WAS FULL BEFORE DEPARTURE. DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD GEAR-UP. THE ENGINE WAS REMOVED AND SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR EXAMINATION. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT A SECTION OF GASKET BETWEEN THE ACCESSORY CASE AND THE OIL FILTER ADAPTER PLATE WAS MISSING. ALSO, THE OIL FILTER ADAPTER PLATE STUD WHICH SECURES THE PLATE TO THE ACCESSORY CASE WAS INCORRECT. AS A RESULT, THE ADAPTER PLATE WAS LOOSE. THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO OIL STARVATION WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE OIL EXITING THE ENGINE PAST THE GASKET.

NTSB Probable Cause

INSTALLATION OF AN INCORRECT OIL FILTER ADAPTER PLATE STUD WHICH SECURES THE PLATE TO THE ACCESSORY CASE.

Full Narrative

On July 8, 1993, about 1445 central daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N3896H, registered to the pilot, William R. Capps, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Magee, Mississippi, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The flight originated about 1415 from the Paul Pittman Memorial Airport, Tylertown, Mississippi. The day before the accident flight, the engine oil was changed but the mechanic did not run the engine after to check for oil leaks. The pilot stated that before departure, the oil quantity was full. The flight departed and during cruise flight, the engine seized. The pilot landed the airplane landing gear up in a field. The engine was removed from the airplane and sent to the manufacturer for further examination. Examination of the engine revealed that a section of gasket between the accessory case and the oil filter adapter plate was missing. Also, the threaded bolt which secures the oil filter adapter plate to the accessory section was an incorrect part. As a result, the adapter plate could not be tightened against the accessory case. According to the teardown report, the engine failure was due to the loss of lubrication which was due to an improperly assembled oil filter adapter plate and gasket. The wreckage was released to Joel Clark of Clark Aviation, Inc., on November 15, 1993.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20J
Tail NumberN3896H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCapps William R
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A3B6D · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 63 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:58
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data