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March 29, 2006 · Piper PA-28-180 · N2182T

Bunnell, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 29, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Bunnell, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N2182T
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA06LA073

The pilot stated that earlier that morning he flew to the Flagler County Airport, landed, and secured the engine. He then elected to return to the departure airport. He did not perform a preflight inspection of the airplane, and after starting the engine he taxied to and departed from runway 29. During the initial climb at approximately 1,500 feet he noted smoke coming from the engine compartment and the engine experienced a partial loss of power. He turned to return to the airport and the engine seized. He performed a forced landing on a dirt road and during the landing roll ran off the road and collided with a tree. Post accident examination of the engine by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed an oil film inside the engine cowling and also on the right side of the fuselage from the engine cowling to midspan of the right wing. Additionally, damage to one of the cylinders was noted. The engine driven vacuum pump was found to have not been installed correctly with incorrect gasket material which was baffle gasket material and that the nuts that hold and seal the vacuum pump on were not torqued to proper specs and/or were missing all together and that there was oil on the rubber gaskets. The owner/pilot admitted to having worked alongside the IA to install the engine driven vacuum pump. The owner/pilot also stated that after they were finished installing the pump, he asked the IA if they had installed it correctly because it was sticking out more than he was used to. The IA reported having supervised the owner/pilot who did the work, then checked what he had done and signed it off. The engine had only 8 hours and was within a month of being overhauled at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to perform a preflight inspection of the airplane resulting in departure with an inadequate oil supply, subsequent engine failure due to oil starvation, and damage to the airplane during a forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the improper installation of the engine-driven vacuum pump by a mechanic.

Full Narrative

On March 29, 2006, about 0840 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N2182T, registered to a private individual, experienced a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff and collided with a tree during a forced landing near Bunnell, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight from Flagler County Airport, Bunnell, Florida, to Ormond Beach Municipal Airport, Ormond Beach, Florida. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated about 0835, from the Flagler County Airport. The pilot stated that earlier that morning he flew to the Flagler County Airport, landed, and secured the engine. He then elected to return to the departure airport, but did not perform a preflight inspection of the airplane. After starting the engine, he taxied to and departed from runway 29. During the initial climb at approximately 1,500 feet he noted smoke coming from the engine compartment and the engine experienced a partial loss of power. He elected to return to the departure airport and the engine seized. He performed a forced landing on a dirt road and during the landing roll, the airplane traveled off the road and collided with a tree. Post accident examination of the engine by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed an oil film inside the engine cowling and also on the right side of the fuselage from the engine cowling to midspan of the right wing. The engine experienced oil exhaustion, and the No. 1 cylinder connecting rod was fractured. Examination of the engine-driven vacuum pump (Sigma-Tek P/N 1U478-003) revealed 1 of the 4 nuts was separated, 1 was finger loose, and the remaining 2 were not properly torqued. Additionally, incorrect gasket material (engine baffling gasket material) was used as a gasket instead of the specified gasket. A review of the maintenance records revealed an entry dated February 21, 2006, which indicates that the overhauled engine was installed into the airframe, and a new vacuum pump was also installed at that time. The sign-off was done by a mechanic with inspection authorization (IA). The airplane had accumulated 7.69 hours at the time of the accident since the overhauled engine was installed. The owner/pilot reported installing the engine-driven vacuum pump under direct supervision of the mechanic with inspection authorization (IA). During the installation, he and the mechanic talked at length about the installation of it, and after it was installed, he asked the mechanic if they had installed it correctly because it was sticking out farther than usual. He also asked the mechanic if they could make a metal spacer in lieu of the gasket material. The mechanic replied that as long as it is tight and did not leak, it was fine.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:40 EST
Nearest AirportFlagler County (1nm)
Runway29
Runway Length4999 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN2182T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 48
Altimeter30.28 inHg
Observation Time12:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data