# Accident 19971118038949A: Cessna 152, Palatka, FL, November 18, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 18, 1997, 10:42 local time
- Place: Palatka, FL
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 29.6397° N, 81.6495° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6397&lon=-81.6495&mi=10
- Aircraft: N68327, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68327-2014-11-13) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 152 (registry code 2071835, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-235 series (registry code 41505, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Reported engine: LYC O235L2C
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Student
- Pilot flight hours: 30 total, 30 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB MIA98LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA034) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971118038949A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ENGINE QUIT ENROUTE. TORE OFF NOSE GEAR LANDING IN A SWAMP. OIL DIPSSTICK CAME OFF. FAILED TO SECURE IT ON PREFLIGH (-23) STUDENT PILOT ON CROSS COUNTRY FROM GAINSVILLE FL. TO DAYTONA BEACH FL. CRASHED IN SWAMPY AREA NEAR PALATKA FL. AFTER THE ENGINE SIEZED IN CRUISE FLIGHT. FAA ON SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO OIL REMAINING IN ENGINE; UNDERSIDE OF FUSELAGE & HORIZONTAL STABILIZER SOAKED WITH ENGINE OIL. OIL DIP STICK MISSING FROM HOLDER. STUDENT PILOT TOLD FAA INVESTIGATOR HE FAILED TO INSTALL THE DIP STICK PROPERLY AT PREFLIGHT. CORRECTIVE ACTION: STUDENT TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTION.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB MIA98LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA034), Nov 18, 1997: Cessna 152 (N68327), Palatka, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: the student pilot's failure to properly secure the oilcap/dipstick within it's integral oil filler tube during his preflight inspection.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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