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September 20, 2010 · Cessna 182D · N9071X

Houston, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 20, 2010
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Houston, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 182D
Tail Number
N9071X
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN10CA549

Shortly after departure, when the airplane was approximately 250-feet above ground level, oil began to spray onto the windshield. The pilot checked the engine gauges and noticed a drop in oil pressure. As the pilot turned onto the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern, the engine started to operate abnormally and he performed a 180-degree turn back to the runway. The airplane touched down on the last 250 feet of the runway and proceeded through a fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage during the impact with the fence and came to rest upright, among several parked buses. A postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the engine’s oil cap was hanging by its chain not secured on the engine case. The cap’s gasket appeared worn; however, the inspector could not determine when the cap came off. The pilot reported that the engine was serviced with oil prior to the flight and that he thought that the oil cap was secured afterward.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power during the initial climb due to decreased engine oil quantity and pressure as a result of the engine's oil cap not being adequately secured.

Full Narrative

Shortly after departure, when the airplane was approximately 250-feet AGL (above ground level), oil began to “spray” on to the windshield. The pilot then checked the engine gauges and noticed a drop in oil pressure. As the pilot turned to the crosswind leg, the engine started to run “rough”, and he elected to conduct a 180-degree turn back to the runway. The airplane landed on about the last 250-feet of the runway and proceeded through a fence. The airplane sustained structural damage during the impact with the fence and came to rest upright, among several parked buses. An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, revealed that the engine’s oil cap was off and hanging by its chain. The cap’s gasket appeared “worn”; however, the inspector could not determine when the cap came off. He added, that the pilot stated that the engine was serviced with oil prior to the flight, but the oil cap was secured.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:15 CDT
Nearest AirportWeiser Air Park (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length3455 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182D
Tail NumberN9071X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · O-470 SERIES · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 24 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data