# NTSB GAA16CA317: Ryan Navion, N4171K, McMinnville, OR, June 13, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 13, 2016, 16:40 local (23:40 UTC) - Place: McMinnville, OR - Coordinates: 45.225833, -123.115554 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2258&lon=-123.1156&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 14, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93388 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA317 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93388/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93388 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA317 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to replace the oil filler cap following the preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine oil and engine power, an emergency landing, and impact with terrain. ## 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 · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/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: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that about 15 minutes after takeoff he smelled something burning and the cabin filled with smoke. The pilot further reported that the engine lost power and that he was forced to maneuver for an emergency landing. After the loss of power, he heard a "clanging noise" from the engine. While landing in a field, the airplane impacted blueberry bushes and a fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. During a postaccident examination by the local law enforcement, it was revealed that the oil filler cap was not in place on the oil filler tube. The oil filler cap retaining chain was still attached to the oil cap and the oil filler tube. Upon further examination of the oil cap and the oil filler tube, no evidence of damage was noted. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that about 15 minutes after takeoff he smelled something burning and the cabin filled with smoke. The pilot further reported that the engine lost power and that he was forced to maneuver for an emergency landing. After the loss of power, he heard a "clanging noise" from the engine. While landing in a field, the airplane impacted blueberry bushes and a fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. During a postaccident examination by the local law enforcement, it was revealed that the oil filler cap was not in place on the oil filler tube. The oil filler cap retaining chain was still attached to the oil cap and the oil filler tube. Upon further examination of the oil cap and the oil filler tube, no evidence of damage was noted. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4171K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4171K-2017-01-03), registration cancelled 2017-01-03, S/N NAV-4-1171, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RYAN NAVION (B) - Registry model: [Ryan NAVION](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-navion) (registry code 6150160) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: NAV-4-1171 - Year built: 1948 - Airframe hours: 2686.8 - Engines: Continental O-470-15 213 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 2016 - Departed: S12, ALBANY, OR - Destination: RNT, RENTON, WA - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 27, 2014; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 249 total, 31 in this make and model, 204 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 12 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KMMV, 2 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 20160613009359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160613009359A), Jun 13, 2016: Ryan NAVION, Mcminnville, OR, Substantial damage. Pilot took off from krhv (near san jose, CA) and upon passing salem, OR, at 4500 ft., he started smelling smoke, then saw smoke inside cockpit. Pilot tried… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 11, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93388. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442225&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 201 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442227&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 3 photos, 913 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442226&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.