Pilot Debrief

CESSNA A188 near Arlington, TX — 2014-06-27

Final reportCEN14LA331
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Date
2014-06-27
Location
Arlington, TX, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA A188
Registration
N8157V
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power due to a loose oil filter adapter, which resulted in oil starvation. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’s failure to comply with a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness directive.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was maneuvering the airplane with a banner attached when he noticed a loss of oil pressure. He notified an air traffic controller of the emergency and indicated that he could not reach an airport. The engine then experienced a total loss of power, and the pilot made an emergency landing to a grassy area near a highway interchange. During the landing, the airplane collided with a vehicle, and then another vehicle struck the airplane. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the oil filter adapter was loose, and no oil was observed inside the engine. The threads on the adapter were worn and damaged. The lock nut on the adapter was not properly torqued, and oil residue was observed on the engine near the adapter and on the underside of the airframe. A large amount of metallic debris was found throughout the entire oil filter element, which is consistent with engine oil starvation. Maintenance personnel replaced the oil and oil filter 4 days before the accident; however, they did not comply with Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Directive 96-12-22, which required, in part, inspecting the oil filter and adapter assembly for oil leakage and proper installation of the adapter retaining nut and replacing any oil filter adapter assembly with security problems to prevent loss of engine oil caused by loose or separated oil filter adapters because the loss of oil could result in engine stoppage while in flight and loss of airplane control.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Failure to inspect oil filter adapter as required by AD 96-12-22.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents12

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