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October 2, 2016 · Piper PA 28-180 180 · N5196L

Clarendon, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 2, 2016
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Clarendon, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA 28-180 180 (1967)
Tail Number
N5196L
Operator
Coyote Flight
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN17LA010

The student pilot was conducting a cross-country personal flight. The student pilot reported that, while in cruise flight, the single-engine airplane lost power. He then performed a forced landing to a field, during which the wings and firewall were damaged. Examination of the engine revealed damage consistent with lubrication distress. Further, a cylinder piston pin was found broken, and metal was found in the oil pickup screen and in the oil filter, which had recently been changed. It is likely that the degraded piston pin was the source of the metal in the oil, which clogged the oil inlet screen and reduced the amount of oil available to the engine and resulted in the loss of engine power. A nonmechanic had performed preventative maintenance and changed the oil and oil filter shortly before the accident. He reported that he noticed the metal in the filter but did not consider it to be an indication of a problem.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of a cylinder piston pin, which resulted in an obstructed oil inlet screen, reduced the amount of oil available to the engine, and led to the subsequent loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the nonmechanic, who had recently changed the oil and oil filter, to recognize that metal in the filter was indicative of a problem.

Full Narrative

On October 2, 2016, about 1520 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180 airplane, N5196L, was damaged during a forced landing near Clarendon, Texas. The student rated pilot sustained minor injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was to Tohijoco LLC and operated by Coyote Flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight which operated under visual flight rules flight following. The cross-country flight departed the Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (AMA), Amarillo, Texas, at 1405 and was en route to the Childress Municipal Airport (CDS), Childress, Texas.The pilot reported to the responding FAA inspector that while in cruise flight the engine lost power and he performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane's wings and firewall were damaged. The airplane was transported to the operator's facility for an examination. The engine was examined under the auspices of an Federal Aviation Administration inspector. The examination noted damage to the engine was consistent with lubrication distress. Further examination of the engine found the metal oil screen pickup fouled with metal. The source of the metal was from a broken piston pin. During the examination, it was discovered that the engine's oil and oil filter had recently been changed. The oil filter, which had been removed, was examined and metal was found in the filter. A non-mechanic rated person performed preventative maintenance, changed the oil and oil filter prior to the accident. During the oil change, he noticed the metal, but did not consider this to be an indication of a problem.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:20 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA 28-180 180
Tail NumberN5196L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCoyote Flight
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 SER · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 18 kt, gusting 26 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data