Pilot Debrief

Houts Avid Mark IV near Hibbing, MN — 2011-10-21

Final reportCEN12CA035
Sign in to save
Date
2011-10-21
Location
Hibbing, MN, USA
Aircraft
Houts Avid Mark IV
Registration
N43280
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The improper installation of a hose clamp, which resulted in an oil line rupture and subsequent loss of engine oil pressure.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during the local flight the engine lost oil pressure and the cockpit began to fill with smoke. He immediately reduced engine power to idle and performed a forced landing to a nearby field. The airplane collided with a barbed wire fence during the landing roll and subsequently nosed over. The fuselage, right wing, and vertical stabilizer were substantially damaged. A postaccident inspection revealed that the oil supply line to the oil cooler had ruptured, which allowed oil to come in contact with the engine's hot exhaust, producing smoke. The rubber, automobile-style oil line had failed immediately adjacent to its respective oil cooler inlet fitting. The hose clamp used to secure the oil line to the inlet fitting was not properly positioned over the fitting, which allowed the unsupported hose clamp to abrade through the oil line.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

Related mishaps