# NTSB CEN19TA293: Piper J3C, N49614, Russiaville, IN, August 25, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report - Date: August 25, 2019, 17:25 local (21:25 UTC) - Place: Russiaville, IN - Coordinates: 40.405277, -86.242774 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4053&lon=-86.2428&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 100166 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN19TA293 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100166/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100166 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19TA293 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to reinstall the oil cap after adding oil, which resulted to oil starvation and a precaautionary landing. ## 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: [Piper J3C-65, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md) - [Fluids: oil](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot and passenger were en route on a multi-leg cross-country flight when the pilot noticed oil on the side window and the oil pressure gauge indicated a loss of oil pressure. The pilot was not sure that the engine would continue to run if he diverted to the nearest grass strip, so he executed a precautionary landing to a field, which substantially damaged right wing ribs and spar. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the oil cap was missing; it was later located at the last departure airport. The pilot stated that he was in a hurry to depart and did not properly reinstall or secure the oil cap. The did not reveal other mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 2019, about 1725 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C airplane, N49614, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a field near Russiaville, Indiana. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight plan had been filed for the flight. The personal cross-country flight departed Frankfort Municipal Airport (FKR), Frankfort, Indiana, about 1715, and was en route to Huntington Municipal Airport (HHG), Huntington, Indiana. According to the pilot, he departed FKR, after a fuel stop, on a multi-leg cross-country flight. About 15 miles east of FKR, he noticed oil on the side window and the oil pressure gauge indicated a loss of oil pressure. The pilot was not sure that the engine would continue to run if he diverted to the nearest grass strip, so he executed a precautionary landing to a field. The pilot landed the airplane with the plowed furrow lines; however, the pilot was not able to stop the airplane before the end of the field. The pilot attempted to ground loop the airplane; however, the right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane nosed into a fence and corn crop. The right wing ribs and spar were substantially damaged. A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the oil cap was missing from the engine. Subsequently, an airport employee at FKR found an oil cap on the ramp and the pilot confirmed that the oil cap belonged to the airplane. The pilot stated that he added oil to the engine while on the ground at FKR. He added he was in a hurry to depart so not conflict with skydiving traffic, he did not take the time to verify that the oil cap was properly reinstalled. No other mechanical anomalies were noted that would preclude normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N49614](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49614-2021-02-27), registration cancelled 2021-02-27, S/N G-159, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J3C - Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: G-159 - Year built: 1945 - Airframe hours: 2092 - Engines: Continental Motors C85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 2019 - Departed: KFKR, Frankfort, IN - Destination: KHHG, Huntington, IN - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 13, 2018; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,231 total, 172 in this make and model, 1,103 as pilot in command, 12.3 in the last 90 days, 12.3 in the last 30 days, 4.8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 14 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KLAF ## 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 20190825014789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190825014789A), Aug 25, 2019: Piper J3C-65, Russiaville, IN, Substantial damage. On August 25, 2019, at approximately 1730 eastern daylight time, a 1945 Piper J3C-65 aircraft, N49614, sustained substantial damage following a collision with… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 8, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100166. 3.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479707&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Interview Statements (item 2, .PDF, 153 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479708&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Interview%20Statements-Master.PDF - Accident Report Photographs (item 3, .PDF, 186 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479709&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Report%20Photographs-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.