# NTSB BFO93FA113: Piper PA-24-180, N7443P, Madison Heights, VA, July 7, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1993, 10:02 local (14:02 UTC)
- Place: Madison Heights, VA
- Coordinates: 37.429973, -79.100112 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4300&lon=-79.1001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 27, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8751
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93FA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8751/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93FA113

## Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO OIL STARVATION AS A RESULT OF INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF THE OIL COOLER LINES.

## 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 - deteriorated (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil line - ruptured (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 3,000 FT THE PILOT REPORTED TO ATC THAT THE ENGINE WAS LOSING OIL PRESSURE. WHILE BEING VECTORED TO AN AIRPORT, THE PILOT REPORTED 'ENGINE'S GOING'. WITNESSES OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE AIRPLANE, AND A SPUTTERING ENGINE NOISE. THE ENGINE NOISE CEASED AND THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO PITCH UP, BANK LEFT, AND IMPACT A TREE. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED OIL STARVATION DUE TO A RUPTURED OIL COOLER LINE. THE LINE WAS DETERIORATED NEAR THE AREA CLOSEST TO THE EXHAUST STACK. MAINTENANCE LOGS WERE NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7443P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7443P-2017-07-07), registration cancelled 2017-07-07, S/N 24-2632, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-2632
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Andrew G. Smith III
- Registered owner: Andrew G. Smith III
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 20, 1993
- Departed: CHO, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 373 total, 300 in this make and model, 331 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LYH, 9 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 19930707022739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930707022739A), Jul 7, 1993: Piper PA24180, Madison Heights, VA, Destroyed. Advised ATC loosing oil pressure during vectors to airport. Lost control when engine quit. Oil cooler line burst.

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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