# NTSB MIA90LA181: Piper J3C-65, N70659, Opa-Locka, FL, September 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1990, 16:37 local (20:37 UTC)
- Place: Opa-Locka, FL
- Coordinates: 25.909107, -80.269798 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9091&lon=-80.2698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32699
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32699/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA181

## Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO LACK OF OIL SUPPLY TO THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. THIS ALLOWED THE CONNECTING ROD END CAP TO SEPARATE THROUGH THE CASE RESULTING IN OIL EXHAUSTION.

## 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 port/passage,internal - undetermined
  - engine assembly,connecting rod cap - separation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Overrun, landing - roll
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING NORMAL CRUISE FLT, THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE RPM WAS DECREASING & THE OIL TEMPERATURE WAS INCREASING. THE ENG THEN SEIZED. WITH POOR FWD VISIBILITY DUE TO OIL COVERING THE WINDSCREEN, HE OVERSHOT THE FIELD HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE THEN NOSED OVER. EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD END CAP SEPARATED, EXISTED THE CASE & CAME TO REST IN THE OIL SUMP. LYCOMING ENG PERSONNEL STATED THAT THE SEPARATION OF THE ROD CAP WAS DUE TO A LACK OF LUBRICATION WHICH CAUSED THE ROD BOLTS TO STRETCH, LOSING THEIR TORQUE, & ONE OF THE TWO NUTS VIBRATED OFF. THE OTHER ROD BOLT FAILED DUE TO OVERLOAD. THE ENG RECEIVED A TOP OVERHAUL 136 HRS EARLIER & A MAJOR OVERHAUL WAS PERFORMED 2,122 HRS EARLIER. NO DETERMINATION COULD BE MADE AS TO THE REASON FOR THE LACK OF LUBRICATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70659](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N70659), registered now, S/N 17679, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17679
- Airframe hours: 20378
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235C 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Aerial Sign Company, Inc.
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 20, 1990, 32 hours before
- Departed: HWO, HOLLYWOOD, FL
- Airport: X46, Opa Locka West

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 727 total, 285 in this make and model, 619 as pilot in command, 243 in the last 90 days, 74 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: OPF, 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 19900901037879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900901037879A), Sep 1, 1990: Piper STCJ3, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure on banner tow. Oil on windshield engine seized through rod, lack of oil cause not determined.

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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