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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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July 20, 2012 · Piper PA-28-180 · N3692R

Statesboro, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 20, 2012
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Statesboro, GA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N3692R
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA12LA469

About 5 minutes after takeoff, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power and impacted a row of trees during the resultant forced landing. The accident flight was the first following a 100-hour maintenance inspection. The pilot/mechanic reported that he had changed the engine oil and oil filter as part of that inspection; however, he did not utilize a torque wrench to tighten the filter as required. Oil was noted on the ground, beginning in the area outside of the hangar doors where the maintenance was performed to the departure runway. Postaccident examination revealed that the filter was secured in place with a safety wire; however, it was able to be freely rotated by hand to the extent of that wire. It is likely that during the operation of the engine on the accident flight, oil escaped around the oil filter, which resulted in oil exhaustion and subsequent seizure of the engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power as a result of oil exhaustion due to the mechanic's failure to apply appropriate torque to the oil filter.

Full Narrative

On July 20, 2012, about 1400 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N3692R, experienced a total loss of engine power about 5 minutes after takeoff from the Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport (TBR), Statesboro, Georgia and the pilot/mechanic subsequently made an off airport forced landing to a peanut field. The certificated private pilot sustained minor injuries and a passenger was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The airplane was registered to a private individual and was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a maintenance test flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight. The pilot/mechanic reported that prior to the flight he had completed a 100 hour maintenance inspection on the airplane which included an oil and oil filter change. After the inspection he operated the engine inside an airport hangar at 1500 rpm and had detected no oil leaks. He subsequently pulled the airplane out of the hangar, performed an engine run-up with full power, and determined that the engine was operating as expected. He taxied to runway 14, performed another high power run-up, and departed on the local maintenance flight. Shortly after departure, approximately 800 feet above ground level, he noted a loss of oil pressure and subsequent total loss of engine power. Initial examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that it came to rest in a tree line, at the edge of a field, slightly nose down, and the right wing had been impact separated by a tree. The stabilator was impact separated. Evidence of blight was noted on the vegetation in the vicinity of the accident airplane; however, the fuel line to the carburetor was devoid of fuel. A follow-up examination by an FAA inspector, which coincided with the recovery of the airplane, revealed oil streaking around the lower nose gear truss and along the underside of the fuselage. Further examination revealed that the crankshaft was seized. Examination of the engine revealed that the oil dipstick tube was impact damaged. Examination of the oil filter revealed that it was hand tight and the safety wire was secured; however, the oil filter was able to rotate counter clockwise to the extent of the safety wire. The pilot/mechanic confirmed that he had not utilized any torque device to tighten the oil filter. Examination of the hangar where the maintenance had been performed revealed, outside the hangar doors, a large area of oil on the ground as well as an oil trail from that hangar to the departure end of runway 14. According to the Lycoming Publication titled "Lycoming Flyer," 18 to 20 foot pounds of torque should be applied when installing an oil filter on the engine. However, it further states that the 20 foot pound maximum torque should not be exceeded.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 EDT
Nearest AirportStatesboro-Bulloch County (3nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN3692R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time18:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data