# NTSB MIA00LA196: Gulfstream American AA5A, N26937, Selma, AL, July 3, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 2, 2000, 20:52 local (Jul 3, 2000, 01:52 UTC) - Place: Selma, AL - Coordinates: 32.343887, -86.987777 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3439&lon=-86.9878&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 49580 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA196 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49580/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA196 ## Probable cause The improper installation of the engine front crankshaft seal by maintenance personnel resulting in the seal separating, total loss of engine oil, failure of the engine due to oil starvation, and a collision with trees while making a forced landing on unsuitable terrain. ## 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, climb - to cruise - lubricating system,oil seal - separation - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - fluid,oil - loss,total - engine assembly - failure,total - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - none suitable ## Analysis While climbing through 3,500 feet after departure, the pilot noticed the engine oil pressure was zero. He initiated a turn back to the departure airport, and in the turn he observed oil on the windshield and the engine shuttered and lost power. He was unable to make it to the departure airport and a forced landing was made in a wooded area. Postcrash examination of the engine by an FAA inspector showed the engine front crankshaft seal had separated from the engine and was lying on the alternator. The No.'s 1 and 2 connecting rods had separated and had damage consistent with oil starvation. Engine logbook records showed the engine had been overhauled 280 flight hours before the accident. About 158 flight hours after overhaul and 122 flight hours before the accident, the engine front crankshaft seal was changed. ## Factual narrative On July 2, 2000, about 2052 central daylight time, a Gulfstream American AA5A, N26937, registered to an individual, made a forced landing in trees near Selma, Alabama, following loss of engine power, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. The flight originated from Selma, Alabama, a few minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he was flying from Selma, Alabama, to Monroeville, Alabama. After takeoff from Selma, while climbing through 3,500 feet, he noticed the engine oil pressure was on zero. He initiated a turn back to Selma, and in the turn, the engine lost power, dropping to about 1,200 rpm, and he noticed oil on the windshield. As he approached the airport, he realized he would not make it to the runway, and turned toward a road, for a landing. He could not make the road, and elected to land the aircraft in trees. Postcrash examination of the aircraft and engine by an FAA inspector showed that upon removal of the propeller and forward cowling, it was observed that the engine front crankshaft seal was not in place and was lying on top of the alternator. Upon removal of the No. 2 cylinder it was observed that the No. 1 and No. 2 connecting rods had separated from the crankshaft, had signs of extremely high temperature, and had damaged the crankcase. Upon removal of the No. 4 cylinder, it was observed that the No. 3 connecting rod showed signs of high temperature. The inspector stated that the damage in the engine that he observed was consistent with engine oil starvation. Logbook records showed the engine was overhauled about 280 flight hours before the accident. About 158 flight hours after overhaul and 122 flight hours before the accident the engine front crankshaft seal was replaced. (Logbook pages are an attachment to this report). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N26937](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26937-2001-07-24), registration cancelled 2001-07-24, S/N AA5A0824 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Gulfstream American AA5A - Registry model: [Gulfstream American AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-american-aa-5a) (registry code 3970104) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA5A0824 - Airframe hours: 2269 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Aaron C. Lerner - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 2000, 1 hours before - Departed: SEM, SELMA, AL - Destination: MVC, MONROEVILLE, AL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 1, 1999; seat: left; flight hours: 1,677 total, 500 in this make and model, 1,549 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 180° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: MGM, 35 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 20000702007519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000702007519A), Jul 2, 2000: Amrgen AA5A, Selma, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) During cruise climb while passing through 3,500 MSL the pilot noticed no oil pressure. The pilot executed a 180 degree turn to return to the departure… 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.