# NTSB CEN11IA146: Columbia LC41, N921DZ, Milsap, TX, December 24, 2010

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: December 24, 2010, 14:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Milsap, TX
- Coordinates: 32.703609, -97.989997 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7036&lon=-97.9900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Cessna Aircraft Company, FAA Fort Worth FSDO, Teledyne Continental Motors
- NTSB case key (mKey): 78124
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11IA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78124/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78124
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11IA146

## Probable cause

A total loss of engine power in flight due to a loss of engine oil for reasons that could not be determined during a postaccident teardown examination of the engine.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Fluids: oil](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=5150011), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md)
- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=5150011), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=5150011), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Approach-IFR initial approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=5150011), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=5150011), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The airplane was climbing through about 9,000 feet mean sea level (msl) when the pilot noticed that the engine was not producing full power and that the engine oil pressure had dropped. The pilot declared an emergency and asked an air traffic controller for a descent and vectors for an instrument approach to a nearby airport. While descending through about 3,000 feet msl in instrument meteorological conditions, the “engine quit.” The airplane descended out of the clouds about 500 feet above ground level, the pilot made an engine-out landing in an open field, and the nose gear collapsed. A review of the airplane’s maintenance documents showed that the engine had recently been partially removed during replacement of the starter adapter. According to the airplane’s maintenance logbooks, the airplane was inspected after this maintenance activity, and a subsequent ground run of the engine was satisfactory, with no leaks noted. Further, the pilot reported that after the maintenance was completed, he flew the airplane twice and had no leaks and no problems. A postaccident teardown examination of the engine revealed a breach in the crankcase and several areas inside the engine that exhibited lubrication distress, thermal distress, and mechanical damage. The examination revealed no other preincident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the in-flight loss of engine oil could not be determined.

## Factual narrative

On December 24, 2010, about 1440 central standard time, N921DZ, a Columbia LC41-550FG, single engine airplane, received minor damage after an off-airport forced landing near Milsap, Texas. The solo pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed at the time of the accident and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airplane departed Bourland Field Airport (50F), Cresson, Texas, about 1415 destined for Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT), Phoenix, Arizona. The airplane was at 9,000 feet mean sea level (msl) in a climb to 16,000 feet msl when the pilot noticed that the engine was not producing full power and the engine oil pressure had dropped to an unacceptable level. The pilot declared an emergency and requested a descent and vectors for an instrument approach to runway 31 at Mineral Wells Airport (MWL), Mineral Wells, Texas. The airplane was in IMC when the “engine quit” about 3,000 feet msl. The airplane broke out of the clouds about 500 feet above ground level (agl) and the nose gear collapsed during the engine out landing in an open field. The airplane had recent maintenance performed when the engine was partially removed to replace the starter adapter. Aircraft logbook entries show that the maintenance activity was inspected after completion and that a ground run of the engine was satisfactory with no leaks noted. The pilot reported that after the maintenance was complete he flew the airplane twice and had no leaks and no problems. A teardown examination of the engine showed there was a breach in the crankcase with several areas inside the engine that exhibited lubrication distress, thermal distress, and mechanical damage. There was mechanical damage to several connecting rods and to the crankshaft and counterweight assembly. The examination revealed no other preincident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. The reason for the in-flight loss of engine oil could not be determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N921DZ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N921DZ), registered now, S/N 41695, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: COLUMBIA LC41 (550FG)
- Registry model: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG](https://openairdocs.org/model/columbia-aircraft-mfg-lc41-550fg) (registry code 5150011) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-550-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-550-c) (registry code 17246, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 41695
- Airframe hours: 458
- Engines: Continental TSIO-550-C 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 16, 2010, 78 hours before
- Departed: 50F, Cresson, TX
- Destination: DVT, Phoenix, AZ
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MWL, Mineral Wells Airport, runway 31, 5,996 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 14, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 618 total, 334 in this make and model, 556 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: MWL, 6 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).

- [Incident 20101224055069I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101224055069I), Dec 24, 2010: Columbia Ai LC41-550FG, Millsap, TX, Minor damage. Mr. Christie's airplane (N921DZ) was returned to service after maintenance on 12/22/10. Mr. Christie flew his aircraft from van bortel's at arlington, TX…

## Docket (9 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 26, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78124. 8.4 MB in all.

- IIC's Record of Examination (item 1, .PDF, 4 photos, 359 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381488&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=IIC%27s%20Record%20of%20Examination-Master.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342013&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversations with Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381490&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversations%20with%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Maps (item 4, .PDF, 302 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381479&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps-Master.PDF
- Weather Summary (item 5, .PDF, 749 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381477&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Summary-Master.PDF
- Aircraft Maintenance Log - Selected Pages (item 6, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381486&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Maintenance%20Log%20-%20Selected%20Pages-Redacted.PDF
- Aircraft Maintenance Documents - Selected Pages (item 7, .PDF, 702 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381491&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Maintenance%20Documents%20-%20Selected%20Pages-Redacted.PDF
- Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 8, .PDF, 891 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342014&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF
- Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 9, .PDF, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381480&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF

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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