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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

November 1, 1982 · Stinson 108-3 · N981C

Exmore, VA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 1, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Exmore, VA
Aircraft
Stinson 108-3
Tail Number
N981C
Operator
Willis G Brown
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL83LA023

DURING FLIGHT, THE PILOT NOTICED A DECREASE IN OIL PRESSURE AND ELECTED TO LAND AT AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT. WHILE EN ROUTE, A COMPLETE LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE OCCURRED AND THE PILOT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD. WHILE ON THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT HIT A SOFT SPOT AND NOSED OVER. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THERE WAS A DIMPLE AND HOLE IN THE ROCKER BOX COVER OF THE NO 3 CYLINDER. A LOOSE 3/8-24 HEXAGON JAM NUT (FOR THE INTAKE ROCKER ARM ADJUSTING SCREW) WAS FOUND INSIDE THE ROCKER BOX COVER. THE HOLE AND DIMPLE IN THE ROCKER BOX COVER WERE OPPOSITE OF THE EXHAUST ROCKER ARM ADJUSTING SCREW AND MATCHED THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF THE LOOSE NUT.

Full Narrative

DURING FLIGHT, THE PILOT NOTICED A DECREASE IN OIL PRESSURE AND ELECTED TO LAND AT AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT. WHILE EN ROUTE, A COMPLETE LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE OCCURRED AND THE PILOT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD. WHILE ON THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT HIT A SOFT SPOT AND NOSED OVER. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THERE WAS A DIMPLE AND HOLE IN THE ROCKER BOX COVER OF THE NO 3 CYLINDER. A LOOSE 3/8-24 HEXAGON JAM NUT (FOR THE INTAKE ROCKER ARM ADJUSTING SCREW) WAS FOUND INSIDE THE ROCKER BOX COVER. THE HOLE AND DIMPLE IN THE ROCKER BOX COVER WERE OPPOSITE OF THE EXHAUST ROCKER ARM ADJUSTING SCREW AND MATCHED THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF THE LOOSE NUT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:20 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftStinson 108-3
Tail NumberN981C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWillis G Brown
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFrnklin · 6A4-165-B3 · Reciprocating · 165
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 65 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point16 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg

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Appendix: Source Data