# NTSB CHI93LA123: Rockwell 100, N4017X, Topinabee, MI, March 28, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 28, 1993, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Topinabee, MI
- Location: 45.4839° N, 84.5953° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Topinabee, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4839&lon=-84.5953&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9203
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9203/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA123

## Probable cause

the total loss of engine power due to failure of the oil line to the oil pressure gauge.  A factor relating to the accident was no suitable terrain on which to make a forced landing.

## 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
  - lubricating system,oil line - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot was in cruise flight at 1500 feet agl when the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power.  He made a forced landing on a rural road, and the right wing of the airplane struck a tree during the landing roll.  The investigation revealed a failure of the oil line to the oil pressure gauge.

## Factual narrative

On March 28, 1993, at 1630 eastern standard time, a Rockwell Lark, N4017X, sustained substantial damage when the pilot made an off-airport forced landing near Topinabee, Michigan.  The private pilot and his sole passenger were not injured.  The personal flight originated at the Cheboygan City-County Airport at 1615. No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

The pilot reported a complete loss of engine power while in cruise flight.  He made a forced landing on a rural road, and the right wing of the airplane struck a tree during landing rollout.

The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the airplane reported the oil pressure gauge line was broken, and  oil covered the full length of the fuselage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4017X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4017X-1993-10-28), registration cancelled 1993-10-28, S/N 5150 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL 100
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 100-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-100-180) (registry code 0140208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5150
- Airframe hours: 1950
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerald Rouse
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 6, 1992, 70 hours before
- Departed: Y15, CHEBOYGAN, MI
- Destination: Y15

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 950 total, 950 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PLN, 12 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 19930328006979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930328006979A), Mar 28, 1993: Slinds 100180, Topinabee, MI, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Struck tree landing on a road. Oil pressure gauge line broke. Oil covered fuselage bottom.

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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