ATL99LA067

NTSB accident investigation · de Havilland DHC-6-200 · Lantana, FL · April 5, 1999

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
April 5, 1999, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC)
Place
Lantana, FL
Injuries
6 minor, 4 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
N838MAde Havilland DHC-6-200
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report April 25, 2001
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19990405003079A
Case key
46023

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 pilot's failure to secure the engine oil filler cap during the preflight inspection that resulted the subsequent loss of engine power, and his in-flight decision to attempt a single engine go-around with full wing flaps extended.

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.

Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanicalTakeoff
Lubricating system,oil filler cap - not securedCause
Aircraft preflight - inadequatePilot in commandCause
Lubricating system - starvationCause
1 engine
Forced landingDescent - emergency
In flight collision with terrain/waterGo-around (vfr)
Object - other
Flaps - improper use ofPilot in commandCause
In-flight planning/decision - improperPilot in commandCause

Analysis

The pilot reported that prior to takeoff, he completed a preflight inspection of the airplane that included checking the engine oil quantity. The line personnel topped off the oil reservoirs, and reportedly secured the engine oil reservoir filler caps. Approximately two minutes into the flight, the right engine oil pressure warning light illuminated. The pilot informed Palm Beach Approach Control of the engine oil pressure problem, shut down the right engine, and returned to Lantana. As the flight approached runway 03, the pilot heard a radio transmission from another airplane taxiing for takeoff. As the pilot continued the approach, with full flaps extended, he elected to go-around 1500 feet from the approach end of the 3000-foot runway. The airplane collided with the ground during the go-around maneuver to runway 15. The wreckage examination also disclosed that the right cowling showed oil streaming back from behind the engine and onto the wing strut. Inspection of the oil filler cap revealed that it had not been properly installed.

Factual narrative

On April 5,1999, at 0945 eastern daylight time, a DeHavilland DHC-6-200, N838MA, collided with the ground during a single-engine go-around to runway 15 at the Palm Beach County Airport in Lantana, Florida. The non-scheduled air taxi flight was operated by Carib-Air Cargo Inc., under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 135 with a visual flight rules flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial pilot and four passengers were not injured, and five passengers received minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Lantana, Florida, at 0942.

The pilot reported that prior to takeoff, he completed a preflight inspection of the airplane that included checking the engine oil quantity. After the oil levels were checked it was determined that additional engine oil was needed. The line personnel topped off the oil reservoirs, and reportedly secured the engine oil reservoir filler caps. The pilot also stated that he rechecked the oil cap after the oil was added and no one else touched the oil caps before the flight departed. According to the pilot, approximately two minutes into the flight, the right engine oil pressure warning light illuminated. The pilot informed Palm Beach Approach Control of the engine oil pressure problem. The pilot shut down the right engine, feathered the right propeller and returned to Lantana. As the flight approached runway 03, the pilot heard a radio transmission from another airplane taxiing for takeoff. As the pilot continued the approach, with full flaps extended, he elected to go-around 1500 feet from the approach end of the 3000-foot runway. The airplane collided with the ground during the go-around maneuver to runway 15. The pilot said he never saw the other airplane on runway 03 during his initial approach.

An examination of the crash site revealed that the airplane was in a nose low attitude. The airplane was orientated 180 degrees from the departure heading. The examination of the airplane also disclosed that the left wing assembly separated from the rear attach point. The airplane examination revealed that the right propeller was in the feather position. Also the nose was destroyed, the nose wheel separated from the airplane. The wreckage examination also disclosed that the right cowling showed oil streaming back from behind the engine and onto the wing strut. Inspection of the oil filler cap revealed that it had not been properly installed.

Aircraft

Registration
N838MA
Reported as
de Havilland DHC-6-200
Category
Airplane
Serial number
188
Airframe hours
16,659
Engine
P&W PT-6-20, 550 horsepower, turbo prop
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Part 135
Operator
Carib-Air Cargo Inc.,
Registered owner
Cca Financial Services
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
AAIP · April 2, 1999 · 10 hours before
Departed
LNA
Destination
ISM · Kissimmee, FL
Airport
LNA · Palm Beach Airpark, runway 3, 3,010 × 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
51
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Left
Flight hours
8,000 total · 200 in this make and model · 8,000 as pilot in command · 250 in the last 90 days · 90 in the last 30 days · 2 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
2,000 ft broken
Temperature
75 °F, dew point 64 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
PBI, 13 nm away

Docket · 2

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 5, 1999, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 500 KB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.