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NTSB Report
February 21, 1982 · Pitts 51 · N8WA
Morgan Hill, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 21, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Morgan Hill, CA
Aircraft
Pitts 51
Tail Number
N8WA
Operator
Curtis Hawks
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX82FVM12
WHILE PERFORMING ACROBATIC MANEUVERS THE PILOT NOTICED SMOKEAND OIL STREAMING BACK FROM THE ENGINE AND A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. HE THROTTLED BACK IMMEDIATELY AND STARTED A DESCENT TOWARDS A VACANT FIELD. IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLEAR SOME TELEPHONE LINES IN HIS PATH HE ADVANCED THE THROTTLE BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESPOND. HE COLLIDED WITH THE LINES AND THE AIR CRAFT CAME TO REST IN THE FIELD. ENGINE EXAMINATION REVEALEDA RUPTURED FLEXIBLE OIL LINE RUNNING FROM THE REAR OIL PUMP UNDER THE ENGINE TO THE FORWARD OIL COOLER.
Full Narrative
WHILE PERFORMING ACROBATIC MANEUVERS THE PILOT NOTICED SMOKEAND OIL STREAMING BACK FROM THE ENGINE AND A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. HE THROTTLED BACK IMMEDIATELY AND STARTED A DESCENT TOWARDS A VACANT FIELD. IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLEAR SOME TELEPHONE LINES IN HIS PATH HE ADVANCED THE THROTTLE BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESPOND. HE COLLIDED WITH THE LINES AND THE AIR CRAFT CAME TO REST IN THE FIELD. ENGINE EXAMINATION REVEALEDA RUPTURED FLEXIBLE OIL LINE RUNNING FROM THE REAR OIL PUMP UNDER THE ENGINE TO THE FORWARD OIL COOLER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:50 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPitts 51
Tail NumberN8WA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCurtis Hawks
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 5 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0