# NTSB CEN11LA005: Maule MXT-7-180A, N152HS, Magnolia, AR, October 2, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 1, 2010, 21:00 local (Oct 2, 2010, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Magnolia, AR - Coordinates: 33.1525, -93.219718 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1525&lon=-93.2197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77490 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA005 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77490/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77490 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA005 ## Probable cause The mechanic's failure to properly install an oil drain line after he replaced a cylinder, which caused the engine to seize in flight due to a lack of lubrication. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Eng oil sys (airframe furnish): eng oil dist (airframe furn)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057920): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MXT-7-180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057920/cases.md?model=5460187), [All aircraft, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057920/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule MXT-7-180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=5460187), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Maule MXT-7-180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=5460187), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was on a night cross-country flight when he heard a knocking sound in the engine. He immediately proceeded toward the nearest airport, declared an emergency, and noted that the oil pressure gauge read "0" and the oil temperature gauge read "high." When the airplane was about 5 miles south of the airport, and at an altitude of 1,700 feet, the engine seized. The pilot made a forced landing to a field and subsequently collided with a fence, causing substantial damage to the airplane. Examination of the engine revealed a large hole in the top of the crankcase and that the oil drain line for the No. 4 cylinder was not connected. A review of the engine logbook indicated that the No. 2 cylinder had been removed on the day of the accident, which would have required the No. 4 cylinder oil drain line to be disconnected. When the cylinder was placed back on the engine, the oil drain line was likely not reconnected and properly torqued per the manufacturer's maintenance manual. ## Factual narrative On October 1, 2010, at 2100 central daylight time, a Maule MXT-7-180-A, N152HS, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a total loss of engine power near Magnolia, Arkansas. The private pilot and a passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Henderson State University (HSU), Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Monroe Regional Airport (MLU), Monroe, Louisiana, approximately 2030, and destined for Texarkana Regional Airport (TXK), Texarkana, Arkansas. The cross country flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as part of HSU's commercial pilot curriculum. According to the pilot, he was at 2,500 feet about 15 miles south of Magnolia Municipal Airport (AGO), Magnolia, Arkansas, when he heard a knocking sound in the engine. He immediately proceeded toward AGO, declared an emergency, and noted that the oil pressure gage read "0" and the oil temperature gage was "high." When the airplane was about 5 miles south of the airport and at an altitude of 1,700 feet, the engine seized. The pilot noted a small clearing and landed on a private horse farm. He said there was no visible moon and it was very dark outside, which made it difficult to see the terrain and he subsequently collided with corral fencing before coming to a full stop. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed an on-scene examination of the airplane, which revealed that the nosegear of the airplane collapsed and was pushed aft and the top of the fuselage center section was damaged. The firewall, left horizontal stabilizer and elevator sustained substantial damage. A large amount of oil was noted on the under side of the engine and belly of the airplane. Examination of the engine revealed there was a large hole in the top of the crankcase and the oil drain line for the #4 cylinder was not connected. A review of the engine logbook revealed that the #2 cylinder had been removed on the day of the accident, which would have required the #4 cylinder oil drain line to be disconnected. When the cylinder was placed back on the engine, the oil drain line should have been reconnected and properly torqued per the manufacturer's maintenance manual. In a written statement, the mechanic that replaced the #2 cylinder said that after he replaced the cylinder he performed an engine run and checked for leaks. No leaks were observed. The mechanic placed the cowling back on the engine, completed the 100-hour inspection paperwork and returned the airplane back to service. He stated that all work was performed in accordance with the Maule inspection guide, Lycoming direct drive overhaul manual, and a 4,313-lb torque wrench. The pilot held a private pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land. His last Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) first class medical was issued on August 20, 2007. The pilot reported a total of 128hours, of which, 34 hours were in the Maule. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N152HS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N152HS), registered now, S/N 21095C, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE MXT-7-180A - Registry model: [Maule MXT-7-180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mxt-7-180a) (registry code 5460187) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-C4F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-c4f) (registry code 42290, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21095C - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C4F 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Henderson State University - Registered owner: Henderson State University - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SHV, Shreveport, LA - Destination: M89, Arkadelphia, AR - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: AGO, Magnolia Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total, 150 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: ELD, 20 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 20101001047779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101001047779A), Oct 1, 2010: Maule MXT-7-180A, Magnolia, AR, Substantial damage. On October 1, 2010, at 2050 CST, a Maule, N152HS, registered to henderson state university, was forced to make an emergency landing approximately 5 miles south… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 4, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77490. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342514&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Written Statement-Mechanic (item 2, .PDF, 253 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342515&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Written%20Statement-Mechanic-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation- FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 22 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342519&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 4, .PDF, 194 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342518&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 5, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342516&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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.