- Date
- April 23, 1994, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place
- Athens, AL
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N2945FCessna 182J
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report December 19, 1994
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19940423009069A
- Case key
- 3375
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The mechanic's failure to properly install an access plug which resulted in the loss of engine oil pressure.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
While flying at 2000 feet MSL, the pilot experienced a loss of engine power after the oil pressure dropped to zero. Attempts by the pilot to restore full power failed; the pilot made a forced landing in a rough field adjacent to a horse race track. It was discovered during the examination of the engine that, the oil dilution access plug was missing which allowed the engine oil pump to cavitate; the plug was not located at the accident site. According to the owner, the engine had been overhauled six hours before the accident. A service bulletin requiring the replacement of the originally installed plug with a square head plug with a safety wire feature was not accomplished.
Factual narrative
On April 23, 1994, at 1645 central daylight time, a Cessna 182J, N2945F, collided with the ground during a forced landing near Athens, Alabama. The personal flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage; the pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed Meridianville, Alabama, at 1605 hours.
While flying at 2000 feet msl (mean sea level), the pilot experienced an engine overspeed condition, followed by a loss of engine oil pressure. After attempts to restore full power and oil pressure, the pilot shut the engine down, and selected an emergency landing area; the airplane was damaged during the emergency landing in a rough field. According to the pilot/owner, the aircraft engine was rebuilt about six flight hours before the accident.
Examination of the engine assembly disclosed that the oil dilution plug was missing; the plug was not located. According to a service bulletin issued in June of 1958; "to insure against this plug loosening and thereby causing an air leak at the inlet passage to the oil pump it is recommenced that the plug be immediately checked for tightness". The service bulletin also recommend the replacement and safety wiring of the new plug. This service bulletin was not accomplished on this engine.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N2945F
- Reported as
- Cessna 182J
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 182-57045
- Airframe hours
- 1,800
- Engine
- Continental O-470R, 230 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Mccorkle, William C.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · April 15, 1994 · 6 hours before
- Airport
- M82 · Madison County, runway 18, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 65
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 1,306 total · 704 in this make and model · 1,225 as pilot in command · 6 in the last 90 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 110° at 8 knots
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 75 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- HSV, 21 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.