# NTSB CHI96LA121: Piper PA-28-140, N5932U, Thief Rvr Falls, MN, March 31, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 31, 1996, 15:58 local (21:58 UTC) - Place: Thief Rvr Falls, MN - Coordinates: 48.11087, -96.170951 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1109&lon=-96.1710&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10219 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10219/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA121 ## Probable cause A ruptured oil line, which resulted in oil exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power. ## 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 - ruptured (cause) - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - wire,transmission - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot said that as he was departing north from the airport, he 'noticed a puff of smoke.' He headed back to the airport. While en route to the airport, the engine began to run rough, then quit. The pilot elected to force land the airplane on a road. When he determined that he would not reach the road, he turned to land the airplane in an adjacent field. On approach to the field, the airplane struck an electrical wire. The airplane subsequently impacted on the field and came to a stop. Examination of the wreckage revealed that an oil line running from oil cooler to the engine case had ruptured near the back of the engine. ## Factual narrative On March 31, 1996, at 1558 central standard time (cst), a Piper, PA-28-140, N5932U, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when during a forced landing, the airplane struck an electrical wire. The airplane subsequently impacted the terrain. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated at Thief River Falls, Minnesota, at 1545 cst. In his written statement, the pilot said that as he was departing north from the airport, he "noticed a puff of smoke." He headed back to the airport. While en route to the airport, the engine began to run rough, then quit. The pilot elected to force land the airplane on a road. When he determined that he would not make the road, he turned so he could land the airplane in an adjacent field. On approach to the field, the airplane struck an electrical wire. The airplane subsequently impacted on the field and came to a stop. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the wreckage at the scene found the airplane resting upright in a snow-covered field. The airplane's forward fuselage, from the cowling aft to the crew compartment was bent. The airplane's nose wheel and firewall were bent up and aft into the underside of the engine cowling. The propeller exhibited bending. Both main landing gear were sheared off. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Fuel was noted in both wing tanks, and the smell of fuel was evident at the scene. No oil was found on the engine dipstick. The examination of all other airplane systems revealed no anomalies. The engine was removed and examined at AIC Maintenance, Inc., Castleton, North Dakota, on April 17, 1996. The examination revealed that the oil line running from oil cooler to the engine case had ruptured near the back of the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5932U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5932U), registered now, S/N 28-7125143, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7125143 - Airframe hours: 3678 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Curt J, Neumann - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 6, 1995, 4 hours before - Departed: TVF ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 261 total, 114 in this make and model, 261 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TVF, 3 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 19960331005619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960331005619A), Mar 31, 1996: Piper PA28140, Thief River Fal, MN, Destroyed. Lost oil pressure on local flight. Crash landed in snow covered field. Oil cooler line failed. Engine seized. (-23) pilot was on a VFR pleasure ride. Aircraft… ## Other investigations on N5932U (1) 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. - [NTSB CEN21LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA031), Oct 21, 2020: Piper PA28 (N5932U), Buda, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: An improperly torqued oil line fitting during an engine overhaul, which resulted in oil exhaustion and a total loss of engine power. 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.