# NTSB LAX91LA121: North American T-28B, N138WW, Mesa, AZ, February 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1991, 12:58 local (19:58 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.44083, -111.850585 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4408&lon=-111.8506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27129
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27129/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA121

## Probable cause

1) THE FAILURE OF THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE UPPER CRANKCASE OIL BREATHER LINE; 2) TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER CAUSED BY A LACK OF LUBRICATING OIL.   A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT INADVERTANTLY STALLING THE AIRCRAFT TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH A WIRE.

## 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 - normal
  - lubricating system,oil line - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable
  - planned approach - not possible, pilot in command
  - object - wire,transmission
  - pull-up - performed, pilot in command
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE UPPER CRANKCASE OIL BREATHER LINE FAILED DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, WHICH ALLOWED THE ENGINE'S OIL TO VENT OVERBOARD.  THE LACK OF OIL CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE AND A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER RESULTED.  THE PILOT SET UP A POWER-OFF APPROACH TO A ROAD, BUT ALTERED THE AIRCRAFT'S COURSE DUE TO EXCESSIVE VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT IN AN OPEN AREA.  ON SHORT FINAL, THE PILOT SAW HIGH TENSION WIRES.  TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH THE WIRES, THE PILOT PULLED THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT UP.  THE AIRCRAFT CLEARED THE WIRES, BUT THE AIRSPEED SLOWED CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO STALL, RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N138WW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N138WW-1996-06-21), registration cancelled 1996-06-21, S/N 138150 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN T-28B
- Registry model: [North American T-28B](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-t-28b) (registry code 6402506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 138150
- Engines: LYCOMING R1820-71 1500 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Worldwide Aeronautical Ind,Inc
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: DMA, TUCSON, AZ
- Destination: FFZ, MESA, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,500 total, 135 in this make and model, 4,600 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: FFZ, 4 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 19910225003469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910225003469A), Feb 25, 1991: Namer T28B, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure. Engine seized. Hard landing avoiding wires. Engine oil breather hose ruptured. Vented oil.

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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