# NTSB ATL86LA099: Piper PA-28R-180, N7613J, Crossville, TN, March 18, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1986, 19:47 local (Mar 18, 1986, 00:47 UTC)
- Place: Crossville, TN
- Coordinates: 35.950527, -85.030326 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9505&lon=-85.0303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7078
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7078/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA099

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - lubricating system,oil line - cracked
  - maintenance,alignment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fluid,oil - leak (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

ON TAKEOFF THE PLT SAW AN OIL LEAK AROUND THE PROP HUB. THE ACFT WAS RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT AND THE PROP GOVERNOR OIL TUBE FITTING WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED. THE PART WAS REPLACED AND THE FLT WAS CONTINUED. THE PART WAS CHECKED DURING A LATER REFUELING STOP AND WAS NOT FOUND TO BE LEAKING. DURING CRUISE IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AN OIL LEAK WAS AGAIN SEEN. VECTORS WERE RECEIVED TO A NEARBY ARPT. THE ENG QUIT AND THE PLT ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING DURING WHICH THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE. EXAMINATION OF THE ENG SHOWED THAT THE OIL LINE FITTING HAD AGAIN CRACKED. BOTH FITTINGS WERE FOUND BY METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION TO HAVE FAILED DUE TO A LOW STRESS HIGH CYCLE FATIGUE INDUCED BY A HIGH MEAN TENSILE STRESS. THE OIL LINE WAS FOUND TO BE UNRESTRAINED ALTHOUGH THE SERVICE MANUAL CALLS FOR TWO CLAMPS. THE RESULTING VIBRATION INDUCED THE STRESS LOADS AS SEEN ON THE TWO FITTINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7613J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7613J-1986-06-06), registration cancelled 1986-06-06, S/N 28R-31005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-31005
- Airframe hours: 5350
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Oldach, Albert J. Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 11, 1985, 102 hours before
- Departed: ABY, ALBANY, GA
- Destination: LEX, LEXINGTON, KY
- Airport: CSV, Crossville

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 230 total, 230 in this make and model, 220 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CSV, 3 nm away

## 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 19860317006939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860317006939A), Mar 17, 1986: Piper PA28R180, Crossville, TN, Substantial damage. Engine seized after oil loss. Hit trees landing. Prop governor oil line fitting cracked. No clamp holding oil line.

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.

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