# NTSB DFW08CA236: Piper PA-32R-300, N6822J, Augusta, KS, September 18, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 18, 2008, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Augusta, KS - Coordinates: 37.665832, -97.073333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6658&lon=-97.0733&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Avaiation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68995 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA236 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68995/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA236 ## Probable cause A loose oil line that resulted in a total loss of engine oil, causing the engine to cease. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Misc hardware: hoses and tubes](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071410): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071410/cases.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071410/cases.md) - [Eng oil sys (airframe furnish)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057900): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057900/cases.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057900/cases.md) - [Fluids: oil](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-300, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/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 PA-32R-300, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Emergency descent initiated](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/130); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/130/sequence.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/130/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-300, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was returning to his departure airport after a local area flight when the engine failed as he was preparing to enter the traffic pattern. The pilot stated in an interview that he noticed the engine revolutions per minute at the red line and that it could not be controlled by the propeller lever. The pilot declared an emergency and within approximately 30 seconds the engine failed and the propeller stopped. During the forced landing, while the pilot attempted to align the aircraft with the runway, the left wing contacted the ground and the aircraft slid to a stop near the end of the runway. The pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. An on-scene investigation conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the engine sump did not contain oil. It was determined that the oil cooler interconnect line on the left oil cooler was only finger tight, which resulted in an oil leak and subsequent loss of all engine oil. No other leaks were found and no other engine anomalies were noted. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was returning to his departure airport after a local area flight when the engine failed as he was preparing to enter the traffic pattern. The pilot stated in an interview that he noticed the engine RPM at the red line and that it could not be controlled by the propeller lever. The pilot declared an emergency and within approximately 30 seconds the engine failed and the propeller stopped. During the forced landing, while attempting to align the aircraft with the runway, the left wing contacted the ground and the aircraft slid to a stop near the end of the runway. The pilot, sole occupant was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. An on scene investigation conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed that the engine sump did not contain oil. It was determined that the oil cooler interconnect line on the left oil cooler was only finger tight which resulted in an oil leak and subsequent loss of all engine oil. No other leaks were found and no other engine anomalies were noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6822J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6822J-2013-05-02), registration cancelled 2013-05-02, S/N 32R-7680357, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-7680357 - Airframe hours: 3596 - Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540 SER 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 2008 - Departed: KICT, Wichita, KS - Destination: 3AU, Augusta, KS - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 3AU, Augusta Municipal Airport, runway 18, 4,199 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 1,140 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KAIB, 8 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 20080918848019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080918848019A), Sep 18, 2008: Piper PA32R300, Augusta, KS, Substantial damage. An interview with the pilot at the scene of the accident, indicated that on approach to 3AU (Augusta) he noticed the RPM at redline and could not control the… 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.