# NTSB ANC98LA033: Piper J5-C, N4769C, Valdez, AK, March 30, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 30, 1998, 14:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Valdez, AK - Coordinates: 61.149745, -146.809997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1497&lon=-146.8100&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3126 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3126/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA033 ## Probable cause The owner/pilot mechanic's improper overhaul of the engine, and lack of proper lubricating cylinder grease. A factor in the accident was the lack of a suitable area for a forced landing. ## Analysis The pilot, who also held a mechanic certificates, had overhauled the airplane engine. The accident flight was the first flight since the overhaul. About 5 minutes after departure, the engine lost power. The pilot restarted the engine, but it only ran another 45 seconds before stopping again. The pilot selected an emergency landing area on a highway, but had to slip the airplane to avoid several vehicles on the highway. The airplane collided with a power line about 25 feet above the ground, and then descended to the ground. Disassembly of the engine revealed all the engine cylinders were scored. The pilot had installed chrome cylinders, and during the assembly, he applied a coating of light grease to each engine cylinder bore. According to an FAA inspector, the engine cylinders required an application of a thicker grease than what was used by the pilot. ## Factual narrative On March 30, 1998, about 1420 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Piper J5-C airplane, N4769C, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing, about 2 miles southeast of Valdez, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Valdez Airport, about 1415. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on March 31, 1998, at 1055, the pilot, who is an aviation mechanic, reported he recently completed an engine overhaul on the accident airplane. The accident flight was the first flight since the overhaul. The pilot departed Runway 06 at Valdez, and climbed to about 1,000 feet above the ground, when the engine suddenly quit running. He said he restarted the engine, but it only ran another 45 seconds before stopping again. The pilot selected an emergency landing area on a highway, but had to slip the airplane to avoid several vehicles on the highway. The airplane collided with a power line, about 25 feet above the ground. The airplane then descended to the ground and received damage to the right wing, the right wing spar, and the landing gear. On April 16, 1998, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported the pilot/mechanic had completed a disassembly of the engine. All of the engine cylinders were scored. The pilot had installed chrome cylinders, and during the assembly, he applied a coating of light grease to each engine cylinder bore. The engine then was temporarily stored before being installed on the accident airplane. According to the FAA inspector, the engine cylinders required an application of a thicker grease than what was used by the pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise - engine assembly,cylinder - scored - lubricant,grease - lack of (cause) - maintenance,overhaul,major - improper, owner/pilot mechanic (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - wire,transmission - terrain condition - none suitable ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4769C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4769C-2019-04-23), registration cancelled 2019-04-23, S/N 5-1474, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper J5-C - Registry model: [Piper J5C](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5c) (registry code 7100712) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5-1474 - Airframe hours: 2028 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gary Kennedy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 1998, 0 hours before - Departed: VDZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,381 total, 800 in this make and model, 3,100 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 10 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19980330004879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980330004879A), Mar 30, 1998: Piper J5C, Valdez, AK, Substantial damage. Recent overhaul engine quit on climbout. Collided with power line landing on hiway.(.4) on March 30, 1998, about 1420 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.