# NTSB CEN12LA111: Curtiss Wright P40M, N5813, Batavia, OH, December 8, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 8, 2011, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Batavia, OH - Coordinates: 39.078334, -84.210281 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0783&lon=-84.2103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 28, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA -- Cincinnati Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 82545 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82545/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82545 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA111 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to failure of the engine oil cooler and subsequent oil starvation to the engine. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Eng oil sys (airframe furnish): cooler](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057921): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Curtiss Wright P40M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057921/cases.md?model=2622212), [All aircraft, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057921/cases.md) - [Fluids: oil](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Curtiss Wright P40M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=2622212), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Curtiss Wright P40M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=2622212), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Curtiss Wright P40M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2622212), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Windows-windshield system: flight compartment windows](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Curtiss Wright P40M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610/cases.md?model=2622212), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Curtiss Wright P40M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2622212), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Curtiss Wright P40M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2622212), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Curtiss Wright P40M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2622212), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Curtiss Wright P40M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2622212), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the engine shuddered several times and that the engine oil pressure dropped to zero, followed by a complete loss of engine power. About that time, the windshield and canopy were covered with oil and coolant, which restricted forward visibility. The pilot performed a forced landing at the departure airport. However, due to excessive airspeed on approach, he was unable to stop the airplane before it departed the end of the runway and impacted the airport perimeter fence. A postaccident examination revealed that the engine oil cooler had cracked, which resulted in an engine failure due to a loss of engine oil. The oil cooler was an original World War II era component. The crack did not appear to have initiated at a previously repaired area. ## Factual narrative On December 8, 2011, about 1530 eastern standard time, a Curtiss Wright P40M airplane, N5813, impacted a fence during a forced landing and a runway excursion, following a loss of engine power, at Clermont County Airport (I69). The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the horizontal stabilizer. The airplane was registered to and operated by the Tri-State Warbird Museum under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated from I69 about 1440. The World War II era airplane was recently restored and had accumulated approximately 5 hours since it had been returned to an airworthy condition. The airplane was originally manufactured in May 1943. The pilot reported that he had completed maneuvers in the local area prior to the accident. He stated that while returning to the airport, the engine shuddered several times and the oil pressure dropped to zero. Approximately 20 seconds later, the engine failed completely. About that time, the windshield and canopy were covered with oil and coolant restricting forward visibility. The pilot was able to execute a forced landing to the airport; however, he was unable to stop on the available runway. The airplane subsequently departed the end of the runway and impacted the airport perimeter fence. A postaccident inspection revealed that the engine oil cooler exhibited a crack adjacent to a thermostatic bypass valve. The oil cooler was an original World War II era component. The crack did not appear to have initiated at a previously repaired area. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5813](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5813), registered now, S/N 27501, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CURTISS WRIGHT P40M - Registry model: [Curtiss Wright P40M](https://openairdocs.org/model/curtiss-wright-p40m) (registry code 2622212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison V1710 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-v1710-series) (registry code 03040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 27501 - Airframe hours: 556 - Engines: Allison V-1710-81 1350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Tri-State Warbird Museum - Registered owner: Tri-State Warbird Museum - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 31, 2011, 5 hours before - Departed: I69, Batavia, OH - Destination: I69, Batavia, OH - Airport: I69, Clermont County, runway 22, 3,566 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 7, 2010; seat: single; flight hours: 2,947 total, 6 in this make and model, 2,780 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: LUK, 10 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 20111208028509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111208028509A), Dec 8, 2011: Curtiss Wright P40M, Batavia, OH, Substantial damage. While enroute back to the departure airport, I69, at an altitude of 6500 feet the pilot experienced an engine anomaly. He noted the engine oil pressure… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 8, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82545. 494 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 338 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360780&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 106 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360781&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Conversation Record -- Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360818&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20Record%20--%20Pilot-Master.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.