# NTSB ERA25LA123: Cessna 172C, N1609Y, Argyle, NY, February 20, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 20, 2025, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Argyle, NY · Turf runway - Coordinates: 43.251269, -73.471795 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2513&lon=-73.4718&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 199743 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199743/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199743 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA123 ## Probable cause The mechanic’s incorrect installation of the oil temperature gauge probe in the oil filter adapter and failure to test run the engine for oil leaks after the installation, which resulted in a total loss of oil and the pilot’s decision to perform a precautionary landing. Contributing was the pilot’s long/fast landing, which resulted in a runway overrun. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng oil sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md) - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the accident flight was the first flight after an annual inspection was completed and a new oil filter adapter was installed. As part of the installation, the mechanic installed the oil temperature gauge probe into the oil filter adaptor housing. The engine was not test run and inspected for oil leaks following the installation. Before the flight, the pilot completed an engine run-up and prolonged taxi to ensure the engine was near operating temperature. During the run-up he did not notice any abnormalities and the engine gauges were indicating correctly. The takeoff and entrance into the traffic pattern were uneventful until the upwind leg when he noticed the oil pressure gauge indicated 0 psi and the engine made unusual sounds, but the engine was still running. He completed at 180° turn and set up for landing on another runway with a tailwind. The airplane was high and fast on approach, then landed long and ran off the end of the runway. The airplane nosed over in a snowbank and came to rest inverted resulting in substantial damage to both wings and empennage. After the accident, the pilot accessed the engine compartment and removed the oil filler cap where he observed no remaining oil in the engine. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed engine oil was observed covering the engine compartment, surrounding areas, and the leading edges of the airplane. Oil was added to the engine and a functional test run was completed. An oil leak was observed from the oil temperature gauge probe that was installed in the back of the oil filter adaptor. The oil temperature probe threaded into the housing, but the oil temperature probe was not seated properly and remained loose after the attachment nut was tightened.; it could not be seated without utilizing a specific adaptor fitting. The adaptor fitting was removed from the old housing and installed onto the new oil filter adaptor. After installation, the oil temperature probe seated properly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1609Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1609Y), registered now, S/N 17249309, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172C - Registry model: [Cessna 172C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172c) (registry code 2072408) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17249309 - Year built: 1962 - Airframe hours: 1849.49 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 4, 2025, 0.1 hours before - Departed: 1C3, Argyle, NY - Airport: 1C3, Argyle Airport, runway 3, 2,400 × 87 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 13, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 144.3 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 5 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: GFL, 8 nm away - METAR: KGFL 201753Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM BKN120 M07/M15 A2994 RMK AO2 SLP153 T10721150 11072 21228 58024 ## 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 20250220006599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250220006599A), Feb 20, 2025: Cessna 172C, Argyle, NY, Substantial damage. Aircraft experienced an oil pressure loss during initial climb out. The pilot returned to the airport opposite direction, and upon landing, the aircraft over… ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199743. 35.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18991303&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%201%20Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 447 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18990149&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20statement%20to%20FAA_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 3, PDF, 6 pages, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18991313&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - engine examination summary (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 227 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18994275&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Engine%20Exam%20Summary-Rel.pdf - Airframe logbook entry (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18991202&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airframe%20Logbook%20Entry_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Engine logbook entry (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18991576&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20Logbook%20Entry_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Oil leak (video, mov format) (item 7, MOV, 7.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18991995&FileExtension=MOV&FileName=Oil%20Leak-Rel.MOV - Oil leak (second video, mov format) (item 8, MOV, 6.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18991912&FileExtension=MOV&FileName=Oil%20Leak%20(2)-Rel.MOV - Oil filter adaptor documents and Textron ipc (item 9, PDF, 17 pages, 4.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18992284&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Oil%20Filter%20Adapter%20Documents%20and%20Textron%20IPC-Rel.pdf - NTSB wreckage release form (item 10, PDF, 1 page, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18994255&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Bulk%20Wreckage%20Release%20Form_Redacted-Rel.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.