Pilot Debrief

CROSS DAVID L GLASAIR III near Westcliffe, CO — 2012-08-07

Final reportCEN12LA543
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Date
2012-08-07
Location
Westcliffe, CO, USA
Airport
C08
Aircraft
CROSS DAVID L GLASAIR III
Registration
N71AJ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The loss of oil pressure due to the failure of an oil filter gasket, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

After leveling off at 12,000 feet mean sea level for a test flight, the pilot noticed that the oil temperature began to increase, and then the engine lost oil pressure. The engine then lost total power, and the pilot performed a forced landing in a field. An examination of the engine revealed that a gasket between the remote oil filter adapter and the "spin-on" filter mounting pad had failed, which resulted in a loss of oil. The owner reported that he had lubricated the gasket with a compound upon installation. It could not be determined whether the compound had degraded the gasket.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight upon noticing oil temperature increase.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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