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NTSB Report
February 25, 1991 · North American T-28B · N138WW
Mesa, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 25, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Mesa, AZ
Aircraft
North American T-28B
Tail Number
N138WW
Operator
Worldwide Aeronautical Ind
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX91LA121
THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE UPPER CRANKCASE OIL BREATHER LINE FAILED DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, WHICH ALLOWED THE ENGINE'S OIL TO VENT OVERBOARD. THE LACK OF OIL CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE AND A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER RESULTED. THE PILOT SET UP A POWER-OFF APPROACH TO A ROAD, BUT ALTERED THE AIRCRAFT'S COURSE DUE TO EXCESSIVE VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT IN AN OPEN AREA. ON SHORT FINAL, THE PILOT SAW HIGH TENSION WIRES. TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH THE WIRES, THE PILOT PULLED THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT UP. THE AIRCRAFT CLEARED THE WIRES, BUT THE AIRSPEED SLOWED CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO STALL, RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING.
NTSB Probable Cause
1) THE FAILURE OF THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE UPPER CRANKCASE OIL BREATHER LINE; 2) TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER CAUSED BY A LACK OF LUBRICATING OIL. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT INADVERTANTLY STALLING THE AIRCRAFT TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH A WIRE.
Full Narrative
THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE UPPER CRANKCASE OIL BREATHER LINE FAILED DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, WHICH ALLOWED THE ENGINE'S OIL TO VENT OVERBOARD. THE LACK OF OIL CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE AND A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER RESULTED. THE PILOT SET UP A POWER-OFF APPROACH TO A ROAD, BUT ALTERED THE AIRCRAFT'S COURSE DUE TO EXCESSIVE VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT IN AN OPEN AREA. ON SHORT FINAL, THE PILOT SAW HIGH TENSION WIRES. TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH THE WIRES, THE PILOT PULLED THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT UP. THE AIRCRAFT CLEARED THE WIRES, BUT THE AIRSPEED SLOWED CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO STALL, RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:58 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftNorth American T-28B
Tail NumberN138WW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWorldwide Aeronautical Ind
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · R1820-71 · Reciprocating · 1500
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 8 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time19:50
Weather SourceWFAC