# NTSB LAX97LA183: North American Navion NA-1, N8551H, Morristown, AZ, May 18, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 18, 1997, 06:40 local (13:40 UTC) - Place: Morristown, AZ - Coordinates: 33.89981, -112.900138 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8998&lon=-112.9001&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 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29790 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA183 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29790/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA183 ## Probable cause failure to replace an old and abraded oil feedline hose which led to its rupture and the in-flight loss of engine oil pressure. A related factor was the pilot's misjudgment of distance-to-go versus altitude remaining during the subsequent forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - lubricating system,oil hose - ruptured (cause) - maintenance,replacement - not performed, owner/pilot mechanic (cause) - fluid,oil - no pressure (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - Undershoot, emergency landing - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The engine developed an oil leak resulting in smoke in the cockpit and decaying oil pressure. The private pilot shut off the engine and attempted to land on a local desert airstrip. The airplane landed approximately 50 feet short of the airstrip and contacted several large bushes during the landing rollout. The postaccident investigation disclosed that the oil supply hose from the oil cooler to the engine had ruptured. The hose appeared to be old and heat deteriorated, but was not replaced in conjunction with a recent engine change. ## Factual narrative On May 18, 1997, at 0640 hours mountain standard time, a Navion NA-1, N8551H, was substantially damaged during an attempted emergency landing near Morristown, Arizona. The solo private pilot was not injured. The flight departed Wickenburg, Arizona, airport, at 0600 on a local, personal flight. The engine suddenly lost oil pressure followed by smoke in the cockpit. The private pilot shut off the engine and attempted to land on a local desert airstrip. The airplane landed approximately 50 feet short of the airstrip and collided with several large bushes during the landing rollout. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed. A subsequent investigation by the Scottsdale, Arizona, Flight Standards District Office revealed that the oil feedline hose from the oil cooler to the engine had failed resulting in loss of engine oil pressure and the deposit of oil spray on the exterior of the engine. The pilot stated to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector that a new engine had recently been installed, however, the old oil feedline hoses had not been replaced. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8551H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8551H-2022-01-26), registration cancelled 2022-01-26, S/N NAV4535, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: North American NAVION NA-1 (NAVION NA-) - Registry model: [North American NAVION](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-navion) (registry code 6150130) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: NAV-4-535 - Airframe hours: 4672 - Engines: Continental E-185 185 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James P. Mellody - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1996, 75 hours before - Departed: E25, WICKENBURG, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,413 total, 120 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19970518016379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970518016379A), May 18, 1997: Tmpson NAVIONA, Morristown, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure. Smoke in cockpit. Landed short desert strip. Oil cooler hose not replaced on tbo broke. 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.