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September 1, 2000 · Piper PA-32R-300 · N8304C

Mason City, IA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 1, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Mason City, IA
Aircraft
Piper PA-32R-300
Tail Number
N8304C
Operator
Safewing Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI00LA286

During cruise flight the engine oil pressure dropped to zero and the engine began to vibrate. The pilot elected to shut-down the engine and perform a forced landing to a nearby soy bean field. During the landing the left main and nose gear collapsed when they came into contact with the soft terrain. Post-accident investigation revealed that the oil filter base-gasket had become extruded from its seat, allowing engine oil to leak out of the engine. Textron Lycoming Engines, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, issued a Mandatory Service Bulletin, number 543A, the day prior to the accident. The service bulletin stated, "Textron Lycoming has received reports indicating that operation at high oil temperatures can cause the converter plate gasket on the oil filter base to become extruded from its seat, allowing oil to leak out between the plate and the accessory housing." The service bulletin called for the removal and replacement of the converter plate gasket at every 50-hour oil change.

NTSB Probable Cause

the unsuitable terrain for landing encountered by the pilot and the failure of the oil filter converter plate gasket. Factors to the accident were the total loss of oil and the soft terrain condition.

Full Narrative

On September 1, 2000, at 1110 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-300, N8304C, operated by Safewing Aviation Company, Kansas City, Missouri, sustained substantial damage during landing following a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing near Mason City, Iowa. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The cargo flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 135 and was on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. The flight departed Algona Municipal Airport, Algona, Iowa, at 1050. According to the pilot's written statement, "I departed AXA [Algona Municipal Airport] at 10:50 and was cruising at 4000 ft. [feet] 15 miles west of MCW [Mason City Municipal Airport] when the oil pressure dropped below 0 [zero]. The engine started vibrating so I shut it down and proceeded to set myself up for an emergency landing." The pilot reported, "I turned into the wind and aligned myself with a soy bean field. On impact the left main gear collapsed, also the nose gear, the left wing was bent backward a few inches. The soy bean field was muddy since it had been raining earlier." Post-accident investigation revealed that the oil filter base-gasket had become extruded from its seat, allowing engine oil to leak out of the engine. Textron Lycoming Engines, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, issued a Mandatory Service Bulletin, number 543A, on August 30, 2000. The service bulletin stated, "Textron Lycoming has received reports indicating that operation at high oil temperatures can cause the converter plate gasket on the oil filter base to become extruded from its seat, allowing oil to leak out between the plate and the accessory housing." The service bulletin called for the removal and replacement of the converter plate gasket at every 50-hour oil change.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:10 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32R-300
Tail NumberN8304C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSafewing Aviation
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1A5D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 15 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingOvercast 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point15 C / 14 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:07
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data