# NTSB BFO92LA036: Christen Industries Pitts S2B, N53385, Schellsburg, PA, March 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1992, 08:20 local (13:20 UTC)
- Place: Schellsburg, PA
- Coordinates: 40.039508, -78.639846 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0395&lon=-78.6398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11768
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11768/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA036

## Probable cause

THE TOTAL BLOCKAGE OF THE OIL BREATHER LINE CAUSING EXCESSIVE PRESSURE IN THE ENGINE, RESULTING IN OIL LEAKAGE AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE FAILURE.

## 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 - ice
  - lubricating system,oil line - blocked(total)
  - lubricating system,oil line - pressure excessive
  - lubricating system,oil seal - leak
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE TO CINCINATI, OH, APPROX ONE HOUR AFTER TAKEOFF FROM MAYTOWN, PA, THE PLT AND PASSENGER OBSERVED OIL ON THE AIRPLANE'S WINDSCREEN. THE PLT STATED HE DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING, BUT AS SOON AS HE TURNED TOWARDS THE ALTERNATE AIRPORT, HE NOTICED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL FLOWING ACROSS THE AIRPLANE'S CLEAR FLOORBOARD. THE PLT SAID HE STARTED TO LOOK FOR SUITABLE TERRAIN TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LDG, BUT THERE WAS NONE. AT THIS TIME, THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WAS READING ZERO. HE SAID HE PULLED THE POWER BACK TO AN IDLE SETTING, HOPING THAT IF HE NEEDED POWER LATER, THE ENGINE MIGHT STILL BE FUNCTIONAL. HE SAID HE FLEW THE AIRPLANE INTO A SMALL CLEARING IN THE WOODED TERRAIN. THE AIRPLANE HIT THE FIELD, TURNED 90 DEGREES IN DIRECTION, AND SLID ON THE RIGHT WING FOR 100 FEET, COMING TO REST APPROX 250 FT FROM A TREELINE. ON SCENE INVESTIGATIONS REVEALED THAT THE OIL BREATHER LINE HAD ACCUMULATED ICE NEAR THE END OF THE LINE AND WAS TOTALLY BLOCKED. THE OIL LEAK ORIGINATED FROM THE CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53385](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53385-2006-09-12), registration cancelled 2006-09-12, S/N 5076 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Christen Industries PITTS S2B
- Registry model: [Christen Industries PITTS S-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/christen-industries-pitts-s-2b) (registry code 2210006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5076
- Airframe hours: 279
- Engines: Avco Lycoming AEIO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard D Schauss, doing business as Airshow Associates
- Registered owner: Richard D Schauss
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1992, 17 hours before
- Departed: N71, MAYTOWN, PA
- Destination: I77, CINCINATI, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 886 total, 279 in this make and model, 764 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 10 °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 19920313006229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920313006229A), Mar 13, 1992: Child S2BPITTS, Schellsburg, PA, Destroyed. Oil on windshield and belly. Lost oil pressure. Crash landed. Oil breather line ice blocked. Blew crankshaft seal.

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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