Pilot Debrief

ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL 112 near Hammond, LA — 2013-12-10

Final reportCEN14LA081
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Date
2013-12-10
Location
Hammond, LA, USA
Aircraft
ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL 112
Registration
N1203J
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power due to oil starvation because of a fractured governor oil line, which resulted from the improper installation of the governor oil line assembly during the last oil line replacement.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while in cruise flight, he noticed a lack of engine oil pressure after smelling an odor in the cockpit and that he had to reduce engine power to keep the propeller from exceeding its maximum operating speed. The engine gradually lost total power over a period of 90 seconds. The pilot conducted a forced landing in a field, and the left wing was substantially damaged when it collided with a fence post. A postaccident examination revealed an engine oil leak from a fractured propeller governor oil supply line. The oil line was found inadequately supported by a single clamp, which was also fractured. The engine manufacturer had previously issued a service bulletin (SB) to address several reports of engine failures due to oil starvation that had resulted from fractured governor lines. In all cases, either one or both of the manufacturer-specified clamps and/or supports were missing. The SB stated that the oil line assembly should be visually inspected to determine whether both supports were properly installed and intact. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration had previously issued an airworthiness directive (AD) that required the external governor oil line to be supported by at least two clamps/clips to prevent the oil line from fracturing. The airplane's governor oil supply line had been replaced about 47 hours before the accident; however, the oil line assembly was not installed in compliance with the AD, SB, or the engine overhaul manual.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Inspection of oil line supports could have prevented the fracture and engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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